MICHAEL JOHNSON

ARPER

GEORGIA TECH

#93

PROJECTION:  1st-2nd Round     COMPARISON:  -

CLASS SENIOR

HEIGHT 6-7

WEIGHT 260 lbs.

HOMETOWN Selma, AL

HIGH SCHOOL Dallas County

BIRTHDAY 2/7/1987

SCOUTING REPORT

STRENGTHS: Phenomenal athlete...Excellent measureables...Very quick...Fluid hips & balance...Intriguing upside

WEAKNESSES: Poor experience...Too lean & needs to get stronger...Lacks powerful base...Suspect instincts

OVERALL: A one year starter, Michael Johnson was recruited as a tight end prospect out of high school, but never played offense in college. After playing primarily on special teams as a true freshman, he started two games as a sophomore and junior, but recorded nine sacks over that time which led to high hopes and hype for 2008. As a senior, Johnson finally became the full-time starter, but didn’t play every down and there are questions about his ability to be an every-down lineman at the next level. He is a special athlete with his combination of pure quickness and a tall, lean frame. Johnson has fantastic speed off the edge and uses his fluid hips to get around blockers. He lacks a powerful base and will be taken out of the play by bigger run blockers. Johnson is versatile and has experience inside at defensive tackle and dropping back into coverage. He shows nice burst off the snap and has surprisingly good balance despite his tall height. Johnson will pack a punch at the POA, but isn’t much verse the run. He can be tough to block at times because he is an active athlete and uses his length and fluidity to maneuver past tackles. Johnson has suspect instincts and sometimes doesn’t show ideal anticipation and recognition abilities. He will take plays off and there are strong questions about his ability to be an every-down pass rusher. Johnson recorded 19 sacks over his career which ranks him seventh among Georgia Tech’s all-time list and returned an interception for a touchdown this past season.

BOTTOM LINE: Johnson, who lacks elite experience, is more of an athlete than a football player, but has incredible measureables and speed that simply can’t be taught – is he an every-down pass rusher?

2008 STATISTICS