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Earlier in the year I wrote about Rodney Smith’s chances at taking over some all time rushing records. Since then Tyler Johnson has been tearing it up at wide out and could be closing in on some records. Unlike running back the Gophers don’t have nearly as rich of a history of WRs. So basically Gopher greats that Tyler is chasing are Eric Decker and Ron Johnson, and Omar Douglas.
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With 4 games left Tyler has 807 yards, 8 touchdowns on 52 catches. Through 8 games that’s an average of 100.88 yards, 1 touchdown, and 6.5 receptions per game. So if we’re projecting the rest of his season (knocks on wood that his hamstring is fine) Tyler could end up with 1,210 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 78 catches. So how does that stack up vs program single season records?
Receptions
| Rank | Player | Rec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Player | Rec | Year |
| 1 | Eric Decker | 84 | 2008 |
| 2 | K.J. Maye | 73 | 2015 |
| 3 | Eric Decker | 67 | 2007 |
| 4 | Ernie Wheelwright | 66 | 2007 |
| Drew Wolitarsky | 66 | 2016 | |
| 6 | Tutu Atwell | 62 | 1996 |
| 7 | Omar Douglas | 61 | 1992 |
| Ron Johnson | 61 | 2000 | |
| 9 | Omar Douglas | 60 | 1993 |
| Luke Leverson | 60 | 1998 |
Yards
| Rank | Player | Yards | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Player | Yards | Year |
| 1 | Ron Johnson | 1125 | 2000 |
| 2 | Eric Decker | 1074 | 2008 |
| 3 | Ryan Thelwell | 1051 | 1996 |
| 4 | Chester Cooper | 1012 | 1981 |
| 5 | Tutu Atwell | 924 | 1997 |
| 6 | Jared Ellerson | 909 | 2003 |
| Eric Decker | 909 | 2007 | |
| 8 | Ron Johnson | 895 | 2001 |
| 9 | Omar Douglas | 880 | 1993 |
| 10 | Drew Wolitarsky | 860 | 2016 |
Touchdowns
| Rank | Player | TDs | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Player | TDs | Year |
| 1 | Omar Douglas | 11 | 1993 |
| Ron Johnson | 11 | 2000 | |
| 3 | Da'Jon McKnight | 10 | 2010 |
| 4 | Luke Leverson | 9 | 1998 |
| Ron Johnson | 9 | 2001 | |
| Logan Payne | 9 | 2006 | |
| Eric Decker | 9 | 2007 | |
| Ernie Wheelwright | 9 | 2007 | |
| 9 | Aaron Hosack | 8 | 2003 |
| Maxx Williams | 8 | 2014 |
What strikes me is the leaders in all three show up in the other categories as well. Omar Douglas had a dominant 1993, Ron Johnson owned 2000, and Eric Decker crushed 2008. In a strange coincidence 1993 and 2008 represent the second year for Gopher coaches Wacker and Brewster, and 2000 and 2008 Minnesota went bowling. I’m not sure how much of that history is relevant to 2018, but maybe it means the Gophers qualify for a bowl game?
If Tyler keeps up with his current pace his season would be record breaking in yards and touchdowns on 6 few catches than Eric Deckers 2008 campaign. I think it’s perfectly reasonable to question if Tyler can keep up with his current production. Averaging a touchdown per game seems particularity difficult. However it seems clear Tyler is having a dominant season that could be on his way to having the best overall season for any Gopher wide out ever.