PORT NECHES — Next season, Roschon Johnson will be throwing passes in the University of Texas’ preseason camp.

Two months ago, the Longhorns’ recruit from Port Neches-Groves competed against 23 other major-college bound quarterbacks for a spot as one of the Elite 11 in Nike’s The Opening finals. While Johnson wasn’t named to the Elite 11, the young man 247sports.com ranks as the fourth-best dual threat quarterback in the nation believes he’s steps closer to playing at a level he desires for college.

“I’m a lot closer because I know what goes into it, but I mean I know what to expect from a physical and mental standpoint of it,” Johnson said, “but going to the Elite 11 opened my eyes to a lot of things.”

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Johnson, the reigning Willie Ray Smith Sr. Award winner for Southeast Texas offensive player of the year, finds a way to improve even when coach Brandon Faircloth thinks the 6-1, 192-pound senior can’t get any better.

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“He nitpicks himself,” Faircloth said. “There are plenty of areas he can improve on, and he knows those. He works on a daily basis. He’s put a lot of hard work on, and he’s ready for his senior year.”

Johnson’s senior preseason camp began before the break of dawn Monday at The Reservation. The Indians are coming off a 10-2 record and second straight 5A Division II Region III semifinal defeat to College Station, the reigning state champion.

“We had great enthusiasm, great energy,” Faircloth said. “Kids were running around and giving great effort, so I was proud of them. I expect that. Most teams in this state today are going to have that.

“The challenge will be tomorrow, continuing to hold that same enthusiasm and energy level.”

That likely won’t be an issue for senior safety Tyler Jackson or his classmates.

“It’s very humbling,” Jackson said. “I’ve been at PNG all my life, and to say it’s my last year, I’m very excited to see what we’ve got in store.”

The Indians will be experienced in the secondary as five juniors in 2017 including Jackson saw action. While Faircloth said competition for starting jobs is open at all positions, filling holes at wide receiver and the defensive line is of big importance.

PNG started the season 8-0 and had the top total offense in a nine-team District 22-5A through the regular season at 470.9 yards per game. The Indians’ defense was sixth in total defense at 321.2 yards allowed a game.

But that unit usually gets a great practice in trying to stop Johnson.

“It’s a challenge,” Jackson said. “It makes us better every day. Roschon is a great player, and he pushes the defense to try really hard in practice.”

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I.C. Murrell: 721-2435. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews