Give Josh Johnston an opportunity, and he will do whatever it takes to make the most of it.
In 2017, Johnston arrived at the Colorado School of Mines as a freshman uncertain if he would even have a spot on the football team. But when a chance to walk on landed on his lap, Johnston burst through the door, needing only a week of fall camp to prove he could be a part of a wide receiver group that already had six players on some form of scholarship.
Six years later, Johnston is in a similar situation. He has been invited to the Broncos rookie minicamp, where the stakes are higher and the odds heavily against him. But if he can catch the eye of the Broncos’ coaching staff as he did at Mines, the reward could be life-changing.
“With all the opportunities I’ve seen (Johnston) get, he’s done something pretty cool with them,” Mines wide receivers coach Ryan Diedrick said. “Whatever the outcome, he’s definitely going to make some plays.”
Johnston is glowing with excitement. He said trying out for the Broncos “means the world” to him because his football journey has been a true underdog story.
Before Johnston walked on at Mines, he shined at Snohomish High School in Washington, totaling 2,312 yards and 32 touchdowns, while making eight career interceptions as a defensive back. Yet he was off recruiting services’ radar as a zero-star recruit who ultimately went the NCAA Division II route. Nonetheless, Johnston has found a way to earn an opportunity many dream of.
“Once you get a name on your helmet and get out on the field, it’s an eye test,” he said. “It’s whoever looks the best.”
From the jump in Golden, Johnston impressed Mines coaches with his work ethic, demeanor, and ability to grasp the offense and quickly adjust to game speed. Just before the first week of camp concluded, he received a partial scholarship — a decision the Orediggers never regretted as Johnston went on to total 2,939 career receiving yards and 40 touchdowns.
Diedrick had to pause a few seconds to recall his favorite moments coaching Johnston because there were so many. The coach raved about Johnston’s performance against Minnesota State when the wideout totaled 78 yards and three touchdowns in a 48-45 victory in the second round of the Division II playoffs. “We kept throwing the ball to Josh, and he kept making incredible plays,” he said.
Diedrick didn’t stop there. He applauded Johnston’s explosiveness, his “elite” jumping ability and how he could easily make catches in tight coverage — a trait that helped him to explode for 1,373 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in 2022.
“(Johnston) is not a burner, speed-wise,” Diedrick said. “But he can jump higher than most (and) when the ball is in the air, he has a knack for putting his body in the right position to make a remarkable play.”
New Mines head coach Pete Sterbick, who previously served as offensive coordinator, only added to the praise. He recalled Johnston making a one-handed grab near the sideline on a third-and-15 against Angelo State in the quarterfinals, prompting Sterbick to gloat over his former player’s ball skills and how he maximized every opportunity to improve. But above all else, Johnston was a solid blocker — an overlooked quality in a receiver.
“He could dig out linebackers (or) big safeties,” Sterbick said. “He (was) a guy we could do different things with. I think he brings some unique traits to the table. And hopefully, (Johnston) gets a real look because I think he’s worth it.”
Before Johnston racked up multiple all-conference honors and became one of 12 wide receivers in Mines history to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in a single season, he only hoped to have a locker.
He considered walking on at Washington State until his friend, Mines linebacker Mack Minnehan, convinced him to come to Golden. Johnston kept calling then-head coach Gregg Brandon to see if there was room on the team. Eventually, someone quit, leading Johnston to take the vacant roster spot.
The rest was history.
“I had to find my (own) way to play college football,” he said. “To be in this spot with a chance to make an NFL roster and staying in Denver, a place that I love, is pretty exciting.”
Johnston, who mostly played on the outside when he was at Mines, believes NFL teams will view him as a slot receiver. He has worked on being more explosive on his breaks, identifying zones and finding weaknesses in coverages. “I’m looking for any place I can fit in with the Broncos,” he added.
Johnston doesn’t need anyone to explain the hundred-to-one shot at making it. He’s fully aware of Denver’s crowded wide receivers room, which also added Oklahoma star Marvin Mims Jr. during the second round of the NFL Draft.
Still, the chance of playing in the NFL is in front of him. That’s what matters.
“All (Johnston) wants is an opportunity,” Diedrick said. “I have a lot of faith that he is going to make the most of it (because) he is one of those people that continues to prove you wrong.”
Footnote: Center Alex Forsyth became the first of five Broncos draft picks to sign a contract, agreeing to a four-year deal on Tuesday, a source confirmed with The Post. Forsyth was selected by Denver in the seventh round (No. 257 overall) after playing five seasons with Oregon. Forsyth was named to the Associated Press All-Pac 12 second team after starting in 12 of Oregon’s 13 games in 2022.
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