Oregon wide receiver Johnny Johnson III (3) celebrates his touchdown catch with teammate Kris Hutson (14) against Fresno State Sept. 4 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene.

EUGENE — For all that Johnny Johnson III does that’s measurable, it’s the unquantifiable task of blocking that Oregon’s leading receiver has arguably excelled at most so far this season.

The 6-foot-1, 199-pound Johnson has taken on linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties and opened up running lanes on the perimeter and on the edge of the box for multiple Oregon rushing touchdowns already this season.

“I’ve always been a real aggressive blocker,” Johnson said. “It’s something I’ve been doing my entire career and I’m going to continue to do that. There’s more coming, don’t worry.”

On Oregon’s third play of the game at Ohio State, Johnson drove his defender more than 20 yards downfield while CJ Verdell gained seven yards and a first down. Later in the game, Johnson took Ohio State safety Teradja Mitchell out on a block that allowed Travis Dye to score.

Last week against Stony Brook, Johnson opened up the edge for Dye to run for a 12-yard gain and later was on the edge of the formation at the goal line for Dye’s three-yard touchdown run.

“Always talking abut turning short runs into long runs and long runs into touchdowns,” offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead said. “Got to do a great job outside with our fundamentals and technique with our hands, keeping them inside, finishing blocks. I think Johnny’s doing an unbelievable job.”

As much as technique matters, Johnson stated the obvious: blocking comes down to want-to.

“It’s one-on-one at the end of the day when you meet that guy,” he said.

“Whoever wants it more is going to win. … I try to do that best, I think we all do a pretty good job. (Jaylon) Redd’s another dude that likes to hit dudes real hard. Me and him are neck and neck with that.”

If No. 3 Oregon (3-0) got similar efforts blocking from all of its receivers, its running game would be even more prolific.

Kris Hutson has blocked well at times and Troy Franklin had a key block to spring Dont’e Thornton’s 54-yard touchdown last week, but the Ducks have also missed out on the chance for bigger plays, in some instances explosive runs, because receivers didn’t engage defenders.

“It’s been hit and miss,” Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said. “There’s been some guys that have done better than others. I know (receivers coach Bryan) McClendon hammers those guys and works those guys daily on that. There have been some bright moments and certainly areas for improvement is the best way to describe it. But it’s been inconsistent.”

Johnson, who leads the Ducks with seven catches for 117 yards and a touchdown, leads by example in more ways than one for Oregon’s receivers.

McClendon preaches “no block, no rock” to the room, and the super senior epitomizes that. If some of the other UO receivers followed Johnson’s lead, it could yield better results both on the ground and for themselves in the air.

“I think as a room we try to be good at everything, try to be perfect at everything,” Johnson said. “(Blocking is) a point of emphasis for us. We know that we’re going to put the ball on the perimeter and we’ve got to do our job. Dudes are going to get better at that. I try to set the tone with the way I go out every day.”