July 22, 2008
ATLANTA — Georgia Tech senior Michael Johnson is one of 36 student-athletes named to the watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top defensive end.
On-field performance, exceptional winning attitude, leadership abilities, contributions to school and community and academic preparedness are some of the criteria used to determine the Award’s winner.
Johnson saw action in all 13 games last season. He forced three fumbles, which ranked tied for seventh in the ACC and tied for 55th nationally. Johnson also had 21 tackles, including 11 solos, 6.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. Johnson led the team with four quarterback hurries and in blocked kicks (2).
For his career, Johnson has 61 tackles (41 solo) in 36 games. Johnson also has 13 tackles-for-loss, 10 sacks, seven forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and four pass break-ups. Earlier this summer, he was named preseason second-team All-American by Phil Steele.
The Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award is named in honor of college football’s first three-time first-team All-American. As a defensive end at the University of Miami, Hendricks used his agility, height and reach to block passes and kicks, force interceptions and pressure quarterbacks and running backs. He roamed the front line, read plays and blitzed on impulse, completely transforming the way the defensive end position was played. His professional career spanned 15 years and 215 consecutive games. It included four Super Bowl victories, eight Pro Bowl selections and inductions into the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. It is in the spirit of Ted Hendricks’ aggressive style of play, winning attitude and determination that the Defensive End of the Year Award for college football’s premier defensive end is presented.
Members of the national media, head coaches, professional scouts and former winners are included in the Award’s voting committee. Candidates may represent any class (freshman through senior) as well as any four-year NCAA accredited school. The candidate’s primary position must be defensive end.
