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Overview
A converted outside linebacker, Brian Johnston continues to grow -- physically and in the eyes of NFL scouts. A product of the Garner-Webb weight room, where he has added more than 45 pounds of bulk since his freshman year, Johnston is regarded as the premier defensive prospect below the Bowl Subdivision ranks.
The San Diego native was the only Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) player on the Ted Hendricks Award list in 2007, which also includes FBS standouts such as George Selvie (South Florida), Chris Long (Virginia), Calais Campbell (Miami), Tyson Jackson (Louisiana State) and Lawrence Jackson (Southern California).
At Madison High School, Johnston earned first-team All-Harbor League honors as a defensive end during his senior season. A member of the San Diego Union-Tribune All-Academic Team and a High School Heisman nominee, he added All-League accolades as a junior on the defensive line. He finished his final season with 82 total tackles (30 solo), 10 sacks and 13 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also deflected six passes and caused four fumbles.
Johnston enrolled at Gardner-Webb in 2004, turning down offers to attend Colorado State and Arizona. As a true freshman, he started seven of nine games at strong-side linebacker, missing two games with a right hamstring strain. He finished with 58 tackles (24 solo), two sacks, five stops for losses and nine pressures. He caused three fumbles, recovered another and deflected two passes.
As a sophomore, Johnston shifted to right defensive end, picking up All-Big South Conference honors from the league's coaches and media. He tied for the conference lead with five sacks, adding 12 ½ stops behind the line of scrimmage and 15 pressures. He produced 59 tackles (28 solo) while causing four fumbles and recovering another.
Johnston had a banner junior campaign in 2006, as he earned All-American second-team, All-Big South Conference first-team and Big South Defensive Player of the Year honors. The All-Central Region Defensive Player of the Year again led the league with eight sacks, the 11th-best season total in school history. He registered 77 tackles (35 solo) with 14 stops for losses and 23 pressures. He caused two fumbles and recovered another.
The Hendricks Award and Buchanan Award finalist continued to wreak havoc in the opposition's backfield as a senior. He recorded 74 tackles (34 solo) with six sacks and ranked third nationally with 24 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also deflected three passes, caused a fumble and experienced every defender's dream - playing on offense and catching a 3-yard TD pass.
In 42 games at Gardner-Webb, Johnson started 40 contests. He recorded 268 tackles (124 solo), 21 sacks for minus-140 yards and was credited with 69 quarterback pressures. He also produced 55 ½ stops for losses of 257 yards, as he caused 10 fumbles and had three fumble recoveries. He deflected six passes, blocked a kick and scored on a 3-yard catch.
Analysis
Positives: Has a frame that can carry additional bulk, good arm length and large hands to grab and drag down ballcarriers … Shows very good hand usage, keeping the active in his pass rush, executing good crossover action to get an edge on a slower offensive tackle … Shows good body control, hip flexibility and balance turning the corner to give chase in the backfield … Gets a decent hand jolt with his punch to slow down backs and tight ends … Plays with pain and does not shut down until the whistle … Has the ability to collide and generate good pop on contact when he plays at a good pad level … Plays better on the move, but has the adequate power base to hold his ground and can be disruptive with his hands when he keeps them inside the framework … Seems more comfortable when asked to stunt, rather than anchor and read … Has the lateral agility to work down the line … Has enough leverage to sit in the gap and hold his ground (inconsistent vs. double teams), as he has the hand placement to get a quick release when he does not get engulfed by larger blockers … If he keeps his pads down in can be tough to handle in one-on-one blocking (will get washed on down blocks) … Not really extra strong at the point of attack, but plays with good knee-bend and leverage … Fights pressure vs. reach blocks … Has the functional hip flip to make plays off the edge … When he shoots his hands quickly, he can shock a blocker … Has enough foot quickness to move and get through trash … Plays the game on his feet and, if he gets a free lane to the quarterback, he can seal the deal and collapse the pocket … Shows nimble foot moves to skate, string plays out and catch them from behind … Has good leverage working off the edge and is a classic hand fighter in attempts to clear the line on the pass rush … Has a quick swim move that generates a good push past the blockers … His quickness allows him to bend on the corner and he likes to use his spin and counter moves a lot when used on the pass rush … Uses his reach efficiently to control and keep separation from blockers when trying to close on the quarterback … When he breaks free from the line, he takes dead aim on the quarterback, resulting in his high amount of flushes and pressures.
Negatives: Has adequate muscle tone and a soft midsection and is a bit high-cut with long calves … Quick to penetrate, but is inconsistent in his redirection skills and will overrun the play and then struggle to recover … Has good quickness off the edge, but not enough to explode past defenders and needs to show more suddenness in his initial step … Just adequate in the classroom and, while he can recognize blocking schemes, at times, he needs more than several reps to retain plays … Will run into the blocker rather than try to slip and avoid, causing wear and tear on his body … Will be late off the ball at times, as he does not have a natural feel for snap cadence … Lacks the bulk to split double teams … Recognizes the trap and can stack, but his marginal size hurts him working in-line … Must flatten and squeeze better on down blocks … Better getting into the backfield when challenging a tight end than an offensive tackle, as he sometimes gets too wired to big-bodied blocks … Has good strength as a wrap-up tackler, but needs to roll his hips better to put more force behind those tackles … Better with his swim and counter moves, as he is still trying to perfect his club and rip moves on the bull rush.
Compares To: MATT ROTH-Miami … Johnston is a work in progress, but he brings instant value as an edge rusher. His first lesson is that he cannot overpower NFL offensive tackles on a consistent basis. This might have worked at his level of competition, but not in the NFL, where tackles are much bigger and stronger. Johnston is a good leverage player who can hold his ground on the edge, but because of size issues, he is inconsistent in attempts to split double teams. With his ability to play on his feet and the flexibility he shows coming off the corner, he will get to the quarterback often, if not asked to play every down.
Injury Report
2004: Sat out the Coastal Carolina contest (10/30) with a right hamstring strain.
Attended Madison (San Diego, Cal.) High School, playing football for head coach Steve Minor … Earned first-team All-Harbor League honors as a defensive end during his senior campaign … A member of the San Diego Union-Tribune All-Academic Team and a High School Heisman nominee, he added All-League accolades as a junior on the defensive line … Finished his final season with 82 total tackles (30 solo), 10 sacks and 13 stops behind the line of scrimmage … Also deflected six passes and caused four fumbles.
Personal
Sociology major … Born 5/02/86 … Resides in San Diego, California.
