Enjoyed a terrific first year of playing collegiate football by starting all 12 games at middle linebacker ... was the second-leading tackler on the team with 94 stops, just three off the team lead...also had 2.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks ... had double-figure tackles in two games with a career-high 12 in win vs. Syracuse (Nov. 5) and also had ten vs. Western Michigan (Oct. 1) ...
He was named an All-American by Pro Football Weekly and a second-team All-SEC performer by the Associated Press and the conference’s coaches. He started all 13 games as part of an offensive line that allowed the offense to break 16 game or season school records. He was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week following the 52-3 win vs.
Jackson followed up his breakout sophomore campaign with an even better showing in his junior season, leading WKU in tackles (122), forced fumbles (4) and quarterback hits (3). He was named first-team all-Sun Belt Conference for the second-straight season, leading the Hilltoppers in tackling on six different occasions, making him WKU’s leading tackler in 14 of the last 26 games he has played.
One of the top overall athletes on the team and FSU's returning top tackler who started all 14 games at weakside linebacker in 2012 after serving as the team's strongside linebacker in 2011. An impressive physical specimen who has above average speed and quickness, which makes him one of the leading candidates for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker.
Johnson is a talented and versatile linebacker. He could play inside or outside LB on the next level or could develop into a rush end as well. He plays with a lot of energy, he is a very aggressive player, and he hits with power behind his pads. He does need to work on his drops, shedding blockers, and his flexibility. He is best when attacking north-south and combining his size with that strength, D-End is a possibility.
Starting weakside "will" linebacker in all nickel and dime extra-DB situations ... consensus first team All-American and first team All-SEC choice ... named first team All-America by the AFCA, Walter Camp, AP, Sporting News and Sports Illustrated ... was a finalist for 2012 Butkus Award, presented to the nation's top linebacker, and a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award (top defensive player) ...
Content copyright 2008. Guy Pritchard. All rights reserved.
