Record-setting Marshall RB Devon Johnson dies at age 25
Former Marshall star Devon Johnson has died.
Johnson died Tuesday at Bluefield Regional Medical Center in Bluefield, West Virginia, according to the Charleston Gazette-Mail. Johnson, who was sixth in the nation in rushing yards in 2014, was just 25 years old. The cause of death is not known at this time.
“With tremendous grief and sadness we can confirm that Devon Johnson passed away yesterday, November 6, 2018. Devon was only 25 years old, and was taken from us far too soon. He was a beautiful, fleeting flame in all of our lives that tragically did not get to burn for nearly long enough,” Johnson’s family said in a statement.
Johnson arrived at Marshall in 2012 as a linebacker and also played tight end and fullback before making the transition to running back ahead of his junior year. It proved to be a natural fit. Johnson, a bruising 6-foot-1, 244-pound back, put up 1,767 yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging a whopping 8.6 yards per carry in the process, while helping the Thundering Herd win its first Conference USA title. Along the way, he set a school record with 272 yards in a win over Florida Atlantic. His 1,767 yards was second most in Marshall history.
Johnson dealt with injuries as a senior, rushing for 593 yards and five touchdowns in seven games. He went undrafted in 2016 and signed with the Carolina Panthers, but never elevated above the team’s practice squad.
“Devon was an incredible football player, but he was an even better person,” the family said. “He forged and treasured relationships from childhood, to his success as a member of the Marshall Thundering Herd, to his time spent in the Carolina Panthers organization, and beyond. Devon will always be in our hearts, and we sincerely appreciate the outpouring of support, thoughts, and respects. We kindly and humbly ask that at this time, our family be allowed to grieve privately, so that we can properly process and mourn this sudden loss. Please keep Devon in your prayers, and thank you.”
Added Marshall head coach Doc Holliday: “I am shocked and saddened at the news of Devon Johnson’s passing. Devon was a force in our program, both literally and figuratively. Whether on the field or off, his impact was immeasurable and he will be missed by so many at Marshall. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.”
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