Jan. 16, 2004

LAS VEGAS - Former UNLV wide receiver Michael Johnson impressed the Las Vegas Gladiators enough during this week's mini-camp that the free agent was signed by the Arena Football League club to a contract, the organization announced Friday.

Johnson was one of three players signed from the mini-camp and joins another former Rebel receiver - Len Ware - on the team's active roster.

Johnson, out of Vista High School in Oceanside, Calif., ranked second on UNLV in 2003 with 42 catches for 457 yards. He completed his career having caught at least one pass in 32 straight games and ranks 11th all-time at the school with 112 receptions for 1,432 yards.

The Gladiators' 37-man roster must be cut to 24 by Feb. 2 and the team opens its second season since moving to Las Vegas on Feb. 6 playing at the Colorado Crush.