MJ's BACK!

[VermontDem2004]

Senior receiver is the veteran half of UNLV's Johnson & Johnson receiving duo.

By Mark Wallington, UNLV Sports Information

3-25-42-Who Knows?

That's the chronologically correct career reception line for senior wideout Michael Johnson (5-11, 190, Oceanside, Calif.).

The first freshman ball-catcher recruited by new head coach John Robinson at UNLV way back in 1999, Johnson redshirted that first fall after enjoying an all-state career at Vista High School near San Diego. Then, after bringing in only three catches as a freshman (which included a 23-yard beauty in the overtime thriller at Ole Miss for his first career stat), Johnson came off the bench in 2001 to grab 25. Last year, after finally earning a starting spot, he finished second on the team with 42 catches for 502 yards. Now, the elder half of the Johnson & Johnson duo (along with highly touted Earvin Johnson) says the sky is the limit for him, his offense and his team.

From a star prepster to struggling to get field time as a collegian, MJ says he never doubted himself.

"I knew coming in that it would be a process to adjust from being a star in high school to being just another player. Nate Turner (1999-2000) was here when I got here and he was a great receiver so I knew it would take a while to make my mark while I learned from the older guys."

Most Rebel fans first remember Johnson when he was the bright spot in a high-scoring loss to Northwestern in 2001. His eight grabs that night included two long scores and a then-Mountain West Conference record 174 yards as well as unveiling a knack for going up and getting the ball out of the air.

[TSIAS]

1. Not Michael Jordan?

Never heard of Johnson & Johnson at UNLV. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen a UNLV football game.

[VermontDem2004]

2. I posted it because

I thought UNLV was using a cheap trick to get hits at their website. So I used that same cheap trick to get someone to actually read my threads but it backfired seeing that I only got 1 reply. :evilgrin: