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.
"That's still a favorite memory," he says. "I finally got a chance to show what I could do even though the two touchdowns were broken plays that weren't even designed for me. That was my first time in the end zone and it came on national TV."
Now, clearly a go-to senior, MJ's seven receptions in the season-opening win over Toledo helped the Rebels overcome the loss of fellow-starter Earvin Johnson, who was serving a one-game suspension.
While EJ may get more acclaim, MJ says the two are a perfect complement on the field.
"Earvin is a big-play guy and I am a route receiver. But we are the same in the way we both use our body. I am smaller but I think I am tough going across the middle. I am running the intermediate routes in this offense so I have to take advantage of gaining yards after the catch."
MJ, just a few receptions short of cracking UNLV's top-10 for a career, now finds himself as the veteran helping teach a wave of youngsters at his position.
"I am a leader on this team by example," he says. "I go out there and feel like I am the best receiver on the field day-in and day-out. I try to make every pass thrown to me worth something every game."
FAVORITE THING ABOUT LAS VEGAS:"Nothing ever closes."FAVORITE RESTAURANT:"Cheesecake Factory. They have everything that you could ever want."FAVORITE CLASS:"History of Rock & Roll"FAVORITE FORMER TEAMMATE:"I like the hard-workers who don't get much pub, like (former walk-on receiver) Andrew Dubiellak."FAVORITE NFL RECEIVER:"Terrell Owens. He's the complete receiver."IN 20 YEARS I WILL BE:"Coaching my high school, Vista, to football championships."
