Mar 2, 2017 4 min read

INDIANAPOLIS – While many of his contemporaries are stressed about being questioned, poked and prodded like cattle at the NFL Scouting Combine this week, former Belle Vernon High School star Dorian Johnson is having the time of his life.

One of the top guards available in this year’s draft, Johnson has had a busy schedule – he met with nine different teams Thursday – but it’s all part of the process of helping him achieve his dream.

“There’s really nothing to be stressed out about,” said Johnson, who measured 6-5 and 300 pounds. “You’ve just got to talk these guys. I think it’s an honor, personally, that so many people want to talk to you. I’m just looking forward to them all.

“I’m just embracing it and taking everything in.”

Perhaps missing the Senior Bowl in January with an ankle injury suffered in Pitt’s loss to Northwestern in the Pinstripe Bowl helped give Johnson some perspective on that. Or maybe it’s been his relationship with Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey.

“That’s actually why I have No. 53. That’s why I got it,” said Johnson of the Steelers’ All-Pro center.

The two would talk on social media when Johnson was one of the most highly recruited offensive lineman in high school.

“I just like the way he plays, athletic and I think he’s good with his hands. He has great finishes,” said Johnson, who has been training in Santa Ana, Calif. “I could say the same thing about David DeCastro. He’s one of my favorite players, as well, being that he’s a guard.”

Johnson was originally recruited to Pitt as an offensive tackle.

But early in his freshman season, the Panthers needed someone to play guard. With Adam Bisnowaty and T.J. Clemmings the starters at tackle, Johnson saw his path to the starting lineup blocked.

Bisnowaty was a four-year starter for the Panthers and is a highly rated tackle in this draft, while Clemmings was a future first-round draft pick.

“My redshirt was burned at that point and I wanted to get on the field and play,” Johnson said. “I wanted to contribute any way possible. (The coaches) thought the best way I could help the team was by playing guard, so I moved to guard. We had two great tackles, Adam Bisnowaty and T.J. Clemmings.”

It turned out to be a good move.

Johnson finished his career with 40 consecutive starts for the Panthers and last season became the first Pitt interior lineman to be named a first-team All-American since Ruben Brown in 1994.

Brown wound up being the 14th pick in the 1995 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills and went on to have an outstanding career for the Bills and Chicago Bears.

Already considered one of the top interior offensive linemen in this draft, Johnson could solidify his spot atop the guard rankings with a solid workout today when the scouts work his group through on-field workouts.

But he’s trying not to pay too close attention to where the draftniks think he’ll wind up.

“I know a lot of guys will check the draft boards and ask their agents,” Johnson said. “I feel like nobody really knows at this point, so anything that’s out there is just talk. When draft day comes and I get drafted, I’m going to be happy wherever I go.”

In the meantime, he’ll continue to train and get ready for that call on draft day, whenever it might come. The NFL draft will be held April 27-29.

“I’m enjoying myself a lot. It’s great to be here,” Johnson said of the combine. “I’m back to 100 percent now. I’ve been training out in California, at Santa Ana, getting rehabbed out there, kind of taking it week by week. It’s been good.”