Sunday, August 19, 2007

Johnson impressive in Alabama A&M scrimmage


By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff

Rashad Johnson spent all of last season on the scout team. After his performance Saturday night in Alabama A&M's third preseason scrimmage, Johnson certainly earned himself playing time at wide receiver.

A 5-foot-11, 172-pound redshirt freshman from Mobile, Johnson caught four passes for 52 yards, including three touchdowns as the Maroon dominated the White 30-0 before a sparse crowd at Louis Crews Stadium.

"He's going to end up playing for us," A&M coach Anthony Jones said of Johnson. "He's got speed and can stretch the defense. He's working hard to learn this system. (Receivers) Coach (Roger) Totten liked him from day one.

"He has taken to coaching. He's trying to understand the emphasis we're putting on being a good receiver."

Johnson was the best receiver on the field Saturday night.

He hauled in a 15-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kelcy Luke on the Maroon's second possession of the scrimmage. Later, he caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Luke and then finished the night with a 10-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Kevin Atkins.

"I feel like I can help this team," said Johnson, who had 37 catches for 700 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior at Murphy High School before getting in some trouble and failing to become academically eligible. "I like the offense and I like how we spread the ball around."

Johnson, who walked on last season, wasn't among the original 90 players who reported for preseason practice on Aug. 1. However, Jones called him and told him to report and he arrived a week later. After more than a week of work, Johnson has settled in nicely.

"He stayed here this summer," Jones said of Johnson. "He worked and spent some time with Kelcy and the boys and it helped his progression. He expressed an interest in coming to camp and he hasn't disappointed."

Luke, who has been brilliant throughout preseason practice, was just average Saturday night.

He was 11-of-22 for 125 yards and three touchdowns, but missed a handful of open receivers.

"We had some miscommunication on a couple of routes," Luke said.

"They were read routes and we weren't on the same page to start off. It worked out in the second half.

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