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'06 KY MLB/DT Micah Johnson (Kentucky signee)

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TheMile said:
Kentucky.com
via mgoblog

6/5/2005

Ohio State and Michigan are listed amongst Micah's favorites.
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Here is the article...
UK FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK
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Fort Campbell's Johnson says fans are in for surprise

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TOP 50 PROSPECT THINKS HIS BROTHER WILL START AS FRESHMAN IN FALL
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[size=-1]By Chip Cosby[/size]
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[size=-1]HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER[/size]
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<!-- begin body-content --> The University of Kentucky missed out on most of the big fish from the Bluegrass recruiting pond last February. Although the Cats landed Mr. Football Curtis Pulley, they watched most of the other top prospects head to either Louisville or out-of-state programs such as Michigan.

The 2006 in-state class is also a pretty good crop. The headliner is Fort Campbell senior Micah Johnson, a consensus Top 50 national prospect.

Johnson, in Lexington this weekend for the KHSAA State Track and Field Championships, already has an NFL-type body, carrying a chiseled 267 pounds on a 6-foot-2 frame with enough size and strength to play middle linebacker and enough mobility to excel in the backfield. He placed third in Class 2A in shot put on Friday after taking up the event two months ago.

"I think I did pretty good for my first year," he said. "I'm going to shoot for the gold next year."

Johnson, who has more than 30 scholarship offers, says he'll narrow his list of schools this summer. And while he declined to name a leader, he said UK is "one of my top choices." He also listed Michigan, Georgia, Penn State, Ohio State and Louisiana State as strong contenders.

One big advantage UK has is Johnson's older brother, Christian, who will be a freshman offensive lineman for the Wildcats this spring.

Kentucky is also recruiting another one of Johnson's brothers, Skip, a sophomore tight end/safety at Laney College in Oakland, Calif.

Johnson is from a military family and lived in Hawaii and Virginia before moving to Kentucky.

"I've kind of adopted Kentucky as my home state," he said.

Johnson said people who say that UK took Christian as part of an attempted package deal are in for a surprise. Christian Johnson, who is even bigger than Micah at 6-4, 315 pounds, spent last season prepping at Hargrave Military Institute inVirginia.

"I think he'll come in and start," Johnson said of his brother. "A lot of people don't understand how good he is. He was getting just as many offers as I was before he went to Hargrave. He's physical and uses his legs as well as any lineman I've seen."

Majority of freshmen to report in June

Under a new NCAA rule that allows schools to pay for incoming freshmen to enroll in summer school, Kentucky could have at least 12 of its 20 newcomers on campus this month, said Steve Hellyer, director of football operations.

Hellyer said the school must get each player certified by the NCAA Clearinghouse before he enrolls.

UK freshman-to-be Alfonso Smith will play in the Kentucky-Tennessee All-Star Game on June 17 and then head to Lexington on June 21 to begin summer classes.

"It helps you to come in, start lifting weights, and get used to taking college classes," Smith said. "That way you don't have to try and cram all that new stuff during two-a-days."

Pulley, who is expected to immediately take over backup quarterback duties, will be among those reporting in June.

Camps under way

The UK summer camp circuit is in full swing this month, with the Junior Wildcat Football Camp for 8- to 13-year-olds wrapping up this week.

Inclement weather and the state track meet forced much of the camp to be held in Nutter Field House, but Hellyer said that turned out to be a positive.

"The kids really loved the indoor; it makes them think they're playing in the Super Bowl," he said.

UK will hold its team passing camp next week, with the individual camp set to begin the week after the Kentucky-Tennessee All-Star Game.

Cutcliffe trying to get his health in order

David Cutcliffe resigned as offensive coordinator at Notre Dame last week, saying he hasn't recovered fully from recent triple-bypass surgery.

UK quarterbacks coach Kurt Roper, who was on Cutcliffe's staff at Mississippi, said he talked with Cutcliffe last week before he resigned and said Cutcliffe will take a year off, continue his rehabilitation and then re-evaluate whether to get back into coaching.

"He's doing a lot better; he's walking 30 minutes a day now," Roper said. "I just think it's a situation where he really doesn't want to have to go at it half-speed, and the truth is, he probably couldn't go at it half-speed. I think he wants to take a year off and see how he feels."
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Scout $

6/20/05

From Scout.com...Micah's list of favorites includes Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Auburn, Virginia, Oklahoma, Alabama and Michigan State. He is trying to formulate a top 5 and is sure that Michigan, Georgia and Ohio State will make the cut. He notes that OSU is known for their linebackers and graduates several after this year.
 
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I feel pretty good about our chances w/ this kid-and I usually don't say things like that about OOS kids. Coming from a military background, I have a feeling his parents will be very impressed w/ Coach Tressel.
 
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Rivals $

6/28


Micah names Michigan, Georgia, Auburn, Penn State, Kentucky, Louisville, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, and Arkansas as schools of interest right now.


However, on the BN$ board Bret claims Michigan, tOSU, and Georgia will receive official visits for sure.
 
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it's been strange reading the updates on this kid. to scout, he always mentions us highly. to rivals, he doesn't mention us at all. maybe it's just a case of people not printing everything... who knows. but the kid did say recently to scout that we were getting and official along with scUM and UGA. Bret's info is usually pretty solid, so if he's confirming this then that's good news. Johnson's going to be a monster DT. scout had him as the #1 DT and #10 overall in their top 100 list.
 
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Micah was in ESPN's SportsNation chat today with Luginbill. Here's the complete transcript of questions directed at Micah:

Tom Luginbill: Hello everyone, and happy 4th of July weekend. We're very excited today to welcome outstanding linebacker prospect Micah Johnson to today's chat. Micah hails from Fort Campbell, Kentucky and is also an outstanding running back.

Micah Johnson: Thanks Tom. It's a pleasure to be on ESPN.com. I look forward to answering your questions.

Richard(Loveland Ohio): What do you think is more important for an inside linebacker...speed or strength? What is your strength? and how well do you think you would do about a team with the opposite strength? Why?

Micah Johnson: I think it's a combination of both. You have to have the speed to get to a spot and the strength to get off blocks, so it's definitely a combination of both. I think I possess a combination of those two as well as great instincts for teh ball.

Derrick, Madisonville: How important is it to you to play on the college level with you brother, and what impact do you feel he will have this season for the University of Kentucky:

Micah Johnson: He'll have a big impact this season. I enjoyed playing with him in high school.

Nick (richmond): Just want to wish you luck with recruitment, i was wondering whether or not you would see yourself as a good fit in Al Groh's 3-4 defense as an outside linebacker utilizing your running back type speed.

Micah Johnson: I think I would be a good fit and the coaches really feel I would be a good fit. UVA is a the top of my list, and they and the coaches feel I could fit in really well at that position. They have linebackers like me up there now, and it would be a good opportunity to play with them.

Daniel, Athens GA: Micah, is there any temptation to join an already top tier recruiting class like the one Coach Richt is putting together at Georgia? Come on down and be part of the action! GATA

Micah Johnson: I do look at that because it does grab my attention that they're putting together a good class. I met Matthew Stafford, and he was cool. We talked a few times.

Lexman (Lexington, KY): I understand you are being recruited to play multiple positions on both sides of the ball, which position do you prefer to play at the college level?

Micah Johnson: A lot of people think I'm being recruited for more positions than I'm thinking about playing. I've had success as a linebacker and a running back, but I think I'm going to end up playing middle linebacker, that's the position i'm leaning toward.

Scott: (Wilmington,NC): Being from Virginia, are you considering Va Tech at all as one of your possible schools you would like to play at?

Micah Johnson: I like the school, but they're really not at the top of my list. They haven't been very position-specific and given me the specific things I look for.

Pete (Louisville Ky): Micah, How do you see Louisville in your quest for the right university for you academic/athletic career?

Micah Johnson: Louisville's a good school. My mom got her Masters from Louisville. If it comes to me playing running back, they're top 3. They're recruiting me for the offensive side of the ball. I like their school a lot.

Ike (Virginia Tech): What kind of defense do you prefer to play at the next level? (3-4?,4-3?) And When do you expect to make a decision? Good luck

Micah Johnson: I think if the defensive line is a better supporting cast, then I like the 3-4. But I like the 4-3 better because I have a chance to get to the ball and make more plays. As far as a decision, I'm going to weigh my options and not rush into anything.

Julian B, Ft. Benning, GA: I left Fort Campbell not even three months before you transferred in.....but anyways, how do you deal with all of the hype and stress of choosing a college?

Micah Johnson: I think just with the pressure, I just try not to think about it too much. I try to put the team before me and that helps to balance it all out. I just make sure I perform, that's why I work so hard because I know there are a lot of high expectations.

Brooks, Des Moines: Micah, what are the chances of you ending up at Notre Dame? If not, do you have a leader right now?

Micah Johnson: Notre Dame was high up on my list earlier on, but they kind of fell off at this point.

jon (darien il): how about michigan?

Micah Johnson: Michigan is going to be in my top 5. I plan on taking an official visit there.

lorton va: do you feel the level of competition was better in kentucky or back here in northern va

Micah Johnson: I think all-around wise Virginia's level was higher because it was 4A team by team. but down here in Kentucky there are a couple of teams that could go up and play in Virginia, but then there's a couple of teams that shouldn't even be on the field with us.

Bryan (Philadelphia, PA): Micah, how interested are you in Penn State?

Micah Johnson: I like Penn State a lot. I think they have a good school and they have a great recruiting class coming up, so I'm interested in them a lot.

Christine (Fresno): Any chance of you picking a school on the West coast?

Micah Johnson: Really USC is in the running, up until shortly I took them off my list. They're too far, and my dad's deploying so I don't want to go too far.

Tyler (huntsville): Micah, how do my Auburn Tigers rank on your list? WAR EAGLE!

Micah Johnson: Auburn will at least be in my top 8. They're a school that has offered me as a running back. I think the coaching staff there is good.

Micah Johnson: Thanks everyone for the questions, and thanks to everyone in my corner rooting for me. I won't let anybody down.

Tom Luginbill: Thanks so much to Micah Johnson. He's got plenty of options to ponder over the coming months, deservedly so. I'll now take your questions.
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GoUpState.com

July 19, 2005

Kentucky LB Has An Offer From Clemson

By Matthew Pitts
 Fort Campbell, KY DE Micah Johnson (6-2 260) is the most sought after recruit from the bluegrass state for the class of 2006. Johnson is also wanted by many of the nation's best programs. According to Johnson's Head Coach Shawn Berner, roughly 40 schools have offered the Fort Campbell standout. Michigan, Georgia, Auburn, Louisville, Kentucky, Clemson, Penn State, Oklahoma, Illinois, Ohio State, Kansas State and Washington are among those 40 schools that have offered Johnson. When asked to describe Johnson as a football player, Coach Berner said a few things come to his mind. "First of all he is just a great athlete. He has excellent lateral movement and is really physical. His size along with his quickness and speed really allow him to do a lot that other guys at his position just can't do." Johnson, who also plays RB for Fort Campbell, had a stellar junior season with 1,273 yards on the ground and 173 total tackles on defense. Johnson attended two camps last month at Louisville and Kentucky, but will not be camping anymore as Fort Campbell just began practice yesterday according to Coach Berner. While Coach Berner claimed Johnson had no favorite, he did point out that Johnson's older brother Christian Johnson is currently playing football at Kentucky and that he and Micah have a good relationship with each other.
 
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osugrad21 said:
GoUpState.com

July 19, 2005

Kentucky LB Has An Offer From Clemson

By Matthew Pitts
Fort Campbell, KY DE Micah Johnson (6-2 260) is the most sought after recruit from the bluegrass state for the class of 2006. Johnson is also wanted by many of the nation's best programs. According to Johnson's Head Coach Shawn Berner, roughly 40 schools have offered the Fort Campbell standout. Michigan, Georgia, Auburn, Louisville, Kentucky, Clemson, Penn State, Oklahoma, Illinois, Ohio State, Kansas State and Washington are among those 40 schools that have offered Johnson. When asked to describe Johnson as a football player, Coach Berner said a few things come to his mind. "First of all he is just a great athlete. He has excellent lateral movement and is really physical. His size along with his quickness and speed really allow him to do a lot that other guys at his position just can't do." Johnson, who also plays RB for Fort Campbell, had a stellar junior season with 1,273 yards on the ground and 173 total tackles on defense. Johnson attended two camps last month at Louisville and Kentucky, but will not be camping anymore as Fort Campbell just began practice yesterday according to Coach Berner. While Coach Berner claimed Johnson had no favorite, he did point out that Johnson's older brother Christian Johnson is currently playing football at Kentucky and that he and Micah have a good relationship with each other.
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For some reason, I doubt Micah will be attending UK with his brother. I cannot see that helping extend his career to the next 2 levels. I get a sneaky suspicion that he will choose scUM. Those KY boys either go waaayyyy up north to scUM or head south to TN, GA, etc.

Would love to have him. He appears to have the athletiscm to play numerous positions although I suspect he eventually settles in at DT.
 
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