TSU receiver says end zone his only goal

Photo: WR Chris Johnson,Soph., 6-2/180
Johnson has speed to get there

By MIKE ORGAN, Staff Writer

Mike Mason delivered on a lot of promises for Tennessee State, but he never found the football promised land.

The transfer from North Carolina was billed as a big-play receiver, but failed to score a touchdown in his one season with the Tigers.

His replacement, Chris Johnson, has his eye on the end zone.

The former Glencliff standout admits to not having the blistering speed Mason had, but says it won't hinder his ability to make a greater impact.

"We are two different kind of guys. He was more of a speedy-type guy and I am more of the versatile and complete player,'' Johnson said.

Mason, who missed three games due to a knee injury, led TSU with 31 catches for 322 yards. Johnson, a junior, was second with 20 catches for 410 yards and scored four TDs.

Nose for the end zone

Johnson has a knack, he says, for getting into the end zone.

"I was born and raised around the end zone,'' he said. "I have a nose for it and I plan on having a lot more noses for it this year."

That's because he's been thrust into the position of being quarterback Antonio Heffner's go-to receiver. Mason signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns and is on the training camp roster.

Even with Mason still around Johnson made plenty of big plays last year. In a win over Jacksonville State he scored on 63- and 34-yard passes from Heffner.

In TSU's attempt to rally against Florida A&M Johnson scored on a 15-yard pass to tie the score in the final minute and send the game into overtime. And he scored TSU's only touchdown against Vanderbilt on a 15-yard pass.

"Chris was one of my most reliable receivers last year and we worked a lot over the summer,'' Heffner said. "Mike Mason only had more catches because of the position (slot receiver) he played."

Deceptive speed

So, how was Johnson able to upstage Mason in terms of scoring touchdowns?

"There is a difference between track speed and de ceptive speed,'' Johnson said. "I have deceptive speed. I tend to get up on defensive backs faster without them knowing it."

Coach James Webster said Mason and Johnson are two different types of players.

"Mike was a guy that had good speed and quickness. Chris is a guy that is going to get a lot of one-on-one coverage," Webster said. "I'll take Chris Johnson against anybody in this league one-on-one because he's got great hands, great leaping ability, super concentration and he's a game-breaker."