Johnson adds depth to defense

Michael Johnson has recently made a name for himself on the football field. He helped preserve Tech's win against Maryland with two sacks in the final two plays of the game. He also had a sack and a forced fumble against Troy. Along with Adamm Oliver and Darrel Robertson, the three make up one of the best defensive end rotations in college football.

Johnson grew up in Selma, Alabama but went to Plantersville for high school due to the more diverse atmosphere. He chose Tech over other schools offering scholarships mostly due to the academics.

One of the reasons Johnson likes Tech so much is the diversity. "Where I'm from, it's kind of sad, but you only have black people and white people. My mom told me the world's not all black and white, you have to go out and meet all kinds of different people. And that was just great, getting here, getting to talk to different people from across the world," Johnson said of the atmosphere at Tech.

He stays humble despite all the attention Tech's football team and defense are getting these days. "It's awesome, I'm blessed. A lot of people would give anything to be in my shoes, to have this opportunity. I've always been taught to make the most of my opportunities. One of my favorite quotes is 'to whom much is given, much is expected,' I think I've been given a whole lot and I don't want to waste it," Johnson said of his abilities.

His profile in rivals.com had him listed as the sixth-best tight-end in Alabama, "I just looked in the paper one day and saw 'defensive end.' I don't really care about what position I play, I just want to get out and help contribute wherever I can."

Johnson is a big part of Defensive Coordinator Jon Tenuta's complicated defense, but one of his coaches helped the transition. "Coach Giff Smith was one of the greatest players in Georgia state history. He played defensive end too, I'm trying to learn everything I can from him, it's a blessing," Johnson said.

The Jackets' defensive line is one of the strongest parts of Tech's defense and even Head Coach Chan Gailey proclaimed it to be one of the deepest defensive lines he'd ever coached. "It's not necessarily individual, being able to rotate everyone and keep everybody fresh. We just keep coming," Johnson said of the intensity on the line.

The depth of the line and Johnson's abilities showed in his first game against Troy. Midway through the second quarter, on a third down play, Johnson rushed around the line and sacked quarterback Omar Haugabook. He hit Haugabook so hard the ball came loose and Phillip Wheeler was able to recover the fumble. "It felt good, that's what we try to do on defense, we try to play fast. We play aggressive, physical, that's just how we play," Johnson said of the play. He added three sacks against Maryland.

Getting there was not easy for Johnson. The transition from high school football to NCAA football turned out to be a big difference in terms of style of play. "I try to watch all the defensive linemen, and watch stuff that they do and learn from them. I might just try to work it in to my own game. In high school I played defensive end, but I didn't know anything about hand placement and working moves. I would just juke and go around, when you get into college it's all about the little things," he said about paying attention to detail on the defensive line.

Johnson's height also gives him an advantage, at six feet seven inches, he's the tallest member of the line, "jumping up, getting in the way of passes. It helps me get extension on people when I go to block. It can get you in trouble when you get caught peeking over people."

Johnson used his height in basketball as well as football in high school. "We thought about [playing basketball] when I first got here. But Tech's very demanding. We'll see, I would have to get out there and start practicing again. When I got here, the main thing on everybody's mind was to get me in the weight room."

Johnson has adjusted to the demanding academic pressures of Tech well. "Tech is a wake-up call when you first get here. It's not high school. The challenge is great, it's demanding. Just like any other college athlete you have practice and responsibilities to sports. But when you go to school here, it's a whole other level. I understand that we're one of the top schools in the country, period. My folks are just glad that I'm able to do what I do here," said Johnson of the academic challenge.

Whether we see him on special teams or on the defensive line, Johnson's shown the ability to make the big play. He's still learning the defense but has already made a difference and proved his ability. Johnson's next big test comes against the Hurricanes.

The Jackets will look to win back-to-back games against Miami and improve upon their 10 game Homecoming winning streak.