Kindred spirits are birthed through desire and competition.
For three years (2013-15), quarterback Matt Johnson and wide receiver Gehrig Dieter celebrated two Mid-American Conference championships in 2013 and 2015 at Bowling Green State University.
The duo would be remarkable for the Falcons in 2015, as Dieter caught 94 passes for 1,033 yards and 10 touchdowns – while Johnson tossed for 4,946 passing yards with 46 scores to eight interceptions.
Offensively, pro day is an event where draft eligible quarterbacks and receivers work through pass-catching drills for NFL personnel. Even with him exceeding expectations last season, all Jalen Hurts could do was watch.
The 6-foot-2, 209-pounder is a rising sophomore.
Thoughts of ex-Tide standouts Blake Sims and Jake Coker entered the minds of fans and media pundits a month before Wednesday’s event, but the presence that came was clutch. After a year of being removed from a high-flying offense in Ohio, the paths of Johnson and Dieter intersected at the University of Alabama.
Not missing a beat, the two friends trained constantly on footwork, dotting routes and crisp timing, leading into the professional audition. Johnson’s arm talent immediately drew attention, and it showed scouts how much more Dieter should have been targeted during the 2016 season.
WR Gehrig Dieter and his former QB from Bowling Green Matt Jones doing work on Pro Day. pic.twitter.com/KkZAqHm4U1
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) March 8, 2017
Following a smooth session with his quarterback and posting a solid 40-time (4.45 seconds), vertical jump (32.5″), broad jump (9’11”) and bench (15 reps), Dieter took a moment to have a word with the press.
“I thought I did well,” Dieter said after pro day. “It was a fun day. It was definitely exhausting, being one of the guys that did every single part of it. All in all, I think it went really well.”
He was open a number of times via the “All 22” camera throughout 2016; nevertheless, Dieter did not allow a 15-catch season to deter him from being active on the field. The South Bend, Ind., native emerged into the team’s best blocking wide out, aiding four rushers total 500-plus yards and 33 touchdowns.
This guy dropped just one pass at Pro Day, former Alabama WR Gehrig Dieter is a machine. pic.twitter.com/himBm7qui3
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) March 8, 2017
“I didn’t have the opportunity to run every route during the season, so coming out here and making sure I ran every single route I felt like I needed to run was the biggest thing,” Dieter said.
As for his quarterback, Dieter said Johnson did well.
“It felt good having someone I can trust,” he said. “I was throwing with Matt Johnson for the past week and we’ve been it hitting pretty hard,” he said. “To have Matt here was a big help to me, ArDarius and O.J.”
Alabama's Gehrig Dieter, ArDarius Stewart and O.J. Howard in pass-catching drills pic.twitter.com/u95qPl92Sx
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) March 8, 2017
A College Football Playoff national championship would have been great, but Dieter fully appreciates the experience he received with the Crimson Tide. He is one of few players that’s a champion in two different programs, after earning a Southeastern Conference title at Alabama last year.
“There’s so many great players here and everyone works hard,” Dieter said. “Just being around that and these coaches, you get the chance to learn everything about football over and over again. Obviously we didn’t end up the way we wanted to, but you live and learn.”
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
