Jhett Johnson has left the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with a gold buckle and, in 2020, he’s watched every round. Here are his insights heading into the homestretch after Round 7. 

Cody Snow and Junior Nogueira

Round 7: NT

Round Winnings: —

Total NFR Earnings: 56,115.39 each

World Standings Earnings: 125,343.45; 114,199.36

World Standings: 4, 5

Average: 12/13; 27.90/4

Johnson’s take: It looked to me like that steer was real real straight and Cody took a fast shot at him and he just popped it off. I think they’ll be deadly with Snow’s horse so good, and nobody heels faster than Junior. When they decided too start running at rounds, they were 3. 

Clay Smith and Jade Corkill

Round 7: 4.3 seconds

Round Winnings: 20,730.77 each

Total NFR Earnings: 67,961.54 each

World Standings Earnings: 137,665.09 each

World Standings: 3,2

Average: 5/6, 43.60/6

Johnson’s take: They’re going to continue to do really well. The head horse and header are awesome, and now that Jade’s on that sorrel, he’s the fastest one to get around them. In my opinion there’s not anybody better than Jade Corkill. 

Luke Brown and Joseph Harrison

Round 7: 7.1

Round Winnings: —

Total NFR Earnings: 65,987.18 each

World Standings Earnings: 155,652.15, 136,286.18 

World Standings: 1, 3

Average: 2, 34.80/6

Johnson’s take: I think they’re going to finish the deal. They’ll do good in the rounds and catch. Luke’s always solid, and Joseph is really fast with good horses. Luke will do him a solid job and he’ll keep heeling them the first jump. They’ll hold onto their spot in the average and place along the way. 

Brenten Hall and Chase Tryan

Round 7: 9.4

Round Winnings: —

Total NFR Earnings: 43,000 each

World Standings Earnings: 90,144.92 each

World Standings: 12, 13

Average: 12, 13, 27.90/4

Johnson’s take: They’re just going to keep doing it. Brenten’s horse is so easy to head on. He’s as talented as they get and Chase is solid. If they don’t run into the wall he’s got both feet. 

Kolton Schmidt and Hunter Koch

Round 7: 4.4

Round Winnings: 15,653.85 each

Total NFR Earnings: 25,653.85 each

World Standings Earnings: 76,675.70 each

World Standings: 15

Average: 15, 4.40/1

Johnson’s take: Everybody’s been there. It’s hard to win when you have no rhythm. I’ve roped with Kolton. His head loops his so tight and he can get the steers legal so fast. His partner showed mental toughness because he hasn’t gotten to turn in a bunch but when he does he catch.es 

Jeff Flenniken and Tyler Worley

Round 7: 4.7

Round Winnings: 11,000 each

Total NFR Earnings: 27,346.15 each

World Standings Earnings: 76,737.49, 78,483.83

World Standings: 14

Average: 4, 37.20/6

Johnson’s take: They’re going to keep going in the average hoping somebody messes up. Tyler Worley catches both feet all the time. Jeff will keep catching and if they draw a goodie they’ll go at him a little more. 

Nelson Wyatt and Levi Lord

Round 7: 4.8

Round Winnings: 6,769.23 each

Total NFR Earnings: 48,217.95 each

World Standings Earnings: 98,909.49, 100,107.99 

World Standings: 8

Average: 3, 36.40/6

Johnson’s take: They’re going to be deadly in the next few rounds. Levi has done a really good job of catching and Nelson too. He’s fast. Him and Dustin, they really have headed some steers fast. He looks very comfortable heading steers to place in the round without missing. 

Erich Rogers and Paden Bray

Round 7: 5.3 

Round Winnings: 4,230.77 each

Total NFR Earnings: 44,692.31 each

World Standings Earnings: 97,233.88 each

World Standings: 9

Average: 1, 60.10/7

Johnson’s take: They’re winning the average, and that’s what they’re going to do. Paden Bray knows how to catch, and he’ll just stay on his toes. If the opportunity is good he’ll heel fast and if it’s bad he’ll make sure he catches. Rogers is a machine. 

Chad Masters and Wesley Thorp

Round 7: 9.7

Round Winnings: —

Total NFR Earnings: 40,038.46 each

World Standings Earnings: 92,720.95 each

World Standings: 11, 12

Average: 5/6, 43.60/6

Johnson’s take: They’re going to keep doing what they’re doing. Chad always starts off trying to stay in the average but people don’t realize that Chad can reach, and Thorp is solid as they get. 

Charly Crawford and Logan Medlin

Round 7: 3.8

Round Winnings: 26,230.77 each

Total NFR Earnings: 40,461.54 each

World Standings Earnings: 95,690.81, 95,082.38

World Standings: 10

Average: 8, 49.70/6

Johnson’s take: It had been a rough week, and last night, to get the ball rolling, and for them to keep doing good. It’s easier to keep winning than start winning. 

Levi Simpson and Shay Carroll

Round 7: —

Round Winnings: —

Total NFR Earnings: 37,923.08 each

World Standings Earnings: 88,320.73, 94,190.39

World Standings: 13, 11

Average: 9, 31.10/5

Johnson’s take: Now that they’re down a couple, Levi Simpson is a great NFR header. If Shay will turn loose and put ‘er down there, they’re going to be fast. 

Clay Tryan and Jake Long

Round 7: —

Round Winnings: —

Total NFR Earnings: 67,256.41 each

World Standings Earnings: 124,885.70, 130,483.56

World Standings: 5, 4

Average: 11, 17.80/4

Johnson’s take: They’re kind of my favorites. I honestly thought they’d be contenders for the world right now. Clay is heading like a young man and Jake Long is fast. If they can get on the good end of the steers they’re going to win first. 

Andrew Ward and Buddy Hawkins

Round 7: —

Round Winnings: —

Total NFR Earnings: 48,500.00 each

World Standings Earnings: 112,372.30 each

World Standings: 6

Average: 10, 32.00/5

Johnson’s take: Andrew has to make sure he comes back with the steer and Buddy is real solid. Andrew can damn sure head fast. 

Dustin Egusquiza and Travis Graves

Round 7: —

Round Winnings: —

Total NFR Earnings: 82,769.23 each

World Standings Earnings: 146,945.27, 139,283.24

World Standings: 2, 1

Average: 7, 46.10/6

Johnson’s take: He started off pretty amazing and everybody knows Travis Graves. Travis is another one, if that guy heads them fast and sets them up, he will not miss. I don’t look for them to miss any more steers and Dustin has really shined out there. 

Colby Lovell and Paul Eaves

Round 7: — 

Round Winnings: —

Total NFR Earnings: 46,384.62 each

World Standings Earnings: 111,893.26, 102,543.66

World Standings: 7

Average: 14, 42.80/3

Johnson’s take: They’ve struggled, and when it’s not going your way and bad things happen—I don’t think that was a crossfire—it’s easy to get in your head. But nobody is more talented with a head rope than Lovell, and Paul Eaves throws as good of a heel loop as anybody in the business. They’ll win more before it’s over. TRJ