Spring Break
DRAFTED
Former Rams have chance to make it big in NFL
Matt L. Stephens
Issue date: 4/27/09 Section: Sports
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As a senior in 2008, Johnson led the Rams with 1,476 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing as well as being the team's fourth leading receiver with 295 yards. In the 2008 New Mexico Bowl he set an NCAA bowl record with 375 total yards from scrimmage, complimented by two touchdowns on the ground.
"It's an amazing feeling, I still haven't fully realized it yet," said Johnson from his home in Miami Springs, Fla. on Sunday. "I'm just walking around and I don't even know what to think."
When Chargers head coach Norv Turner called Johnson on Sunday afternoon, the CSU graduate became the highest selected Ram football player in the NFL draft since John Howell was drafted by Tampa Bay in 2001. According to Johnson, having a chance to learn from San Diego running backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles is an honor.
"It's going to be amazing. LT has been in the league for the last seven years so I'm going to try and soak up from his game what I can and really just try to mold myself. Even though I could never be him, I want to mold myself where I pick up things from him like work habits and things like that to hopefully be successful one day."
Johnson was selected ahead of Mountain West Conference running backs Frank Summers and Aaron Brown, as well as former Heisman Hopeful Javon Ringer from Michigan State.
When the NFL Draft concluded at 5:35 Mountain Time on Sunday evening, Johnson was the only member of the 2008 CSU football team to be drafted. Other Rams' professional careers lay dependent on free agency, an area that has seemed to pay off with running back Kyle Bell, tight end Kory Sperry and quarterback Billy Farris.
According to Tom Lacock of Rivals.com, Farris accepted a free agent deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. Farris was not available to be contacted.
For his part, Sperry will join Johnson after signing with San Diego.
As for Bell, he text messaged the Collegian at 6:42 p.m. on Sunday informing that he is now a Jacksonville Jaguar.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Mike Donovan
posted 4/27/09 @ 12:01 PM MST
Caleb Hanie was not the only Ram who made an NFL team last season as un undrafted free agent. Jesse Nading played in six games for the Texans and had six tackles. (Continued…)
Randy
posted 4/27/09 @ 3:16 PM MST
Actually Damon Morton, Jesse Nading, and Jimmie Kaylor signed as free agents following the 2008 NFL draft, Hanie wasn't the only one to move on. Nading was actually active on houston's roster the last 5-6 weeks of the season. (Continued…)
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