Bruce Johnson

[edit] Biography

CAREER: Speedy and versatile player who sees action at both cornerback and as a kick returner...Is the nephew of former Hurricanes cornerback Kelly Jennings...Has the speed to play man-to-man coverage but is also physical enough to play against strong receivers...Shifty on both punt and kickoff returns...In two seasons, has played in 20 games, making four starts at cornerback, with 13 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one fumble recovery and three pass breakups...Has 15 kickoff returns for 326 yards (21.7-yard average) and 23 punt returns for 186 yards (8.1 average)...Competed on the track team in 2007, recording the second-fastest time (6.57) on the team in the 55-meters...Liberal arts major.

2006 (SOPHOMORE): Reserve cornerback and top kick returner...Played in 11 games, making two starts as a nickel back...Made 10 tackles on defense and three pass breakups...Returned 15 kickoffs for 326 yards, a 21.7-yard average which led the team...Also topped the team with 23 punt returns for 186 yards, an 8.1-yard average (25 long)...Ranked ninth in the ACC in punt returns...In the season opener vs. Florida State, saw action at cornerback (one tackle for loss) and returned one punt for 15 yards and two kickoffs for 22 yards...Started in a nickel defense a week later vs. Florida A&M and made four tackles (two solo). Also returned one punt for eight yards and two kickoffs for 43 yards...Played cornerback (no tackles) and returned three punts for 22 yards and two kickoffs for 37 yards at Louisville...Started the Houston game at left cornerback (no tackles) and returned four punts for 36 yards...Played as a reserve cornerback vs. North Carolina (one solo tackle) and on special teams (four punt returns for nine yards, one kickoff return for 18 yards)...Did not play on defense for the first time all year vs. FIU, but played on special teams and returned one kickoff for 34 yards...Played only on special teams at Georgia Tech, with two kickoff returns for 47 yards (30 long)...Returned four punts for 33 yards vs. Virginia Tech...Returned kicks and saw some limited action at left cornerback in the Maryland game...Saw reserve duty at cornerback at Virginia, and returned one punt for 14 yards and two kickoffs for 43 yards...Did not play against Duke and Boston College...Started the MPC Computers Bowl at left cornerback in place of Glenn Sharpe but had no tackles. Served as the primary punt and kickoff returner. Had one punt return for minus-three yards and three kickoff returns for 67 yards.

2005 (FRESHMAN): True freshman who earned playing time early in the season...Played in nine games, making one start in a dime defense...Totaled seven tackles (six solo) and one fumble recovery...Did not play in the first two games, then saw his first action in the Colorado home opener, playing on nine snaps (no tackles)...Made his first start in a dime defense a week later vs. South Florida, making one tackle on 28 plays...Played as a reserve against Duke and took over as the left cornerback in the second quarter when Kelly Jennings was injured. Finished the game with one solo tackle...Saw considerable playing time in the second half at Temple, adding two more tackles...Played sparingly on defense the remainder of the season when he was a fixture on special teams coverage units.

HIGH SCHOOL: As a senior in 2004, played both ways, making 44 solo tackles, 17 assists, one forced fumble, three recovered fumbles, 12 passes broken up and two interceptions...Also blocked three kicks...On offense, had 39 receptions for 546 yards and three touchdowns and rushed 11 times for 66 yards...Named District Player of the Year...As a junior, tallied 44 tackles and two interceptions on defense and 42 receptions for 752 yards and two TDs on offense...Also returned two punts for touchdowns...In his sophomore year, had 27 catches for 407 yards...Selected for the postseason CaliFlorida Bowl...Rated the nation's No. 4 cornerback prospect by Scout.com and the No. 12 cornerback prospect by Rivals.com...Ranked as the No. 28 overall prospect by the Tampa Tribune and the No. 71 prospect in Florida by the Orlando Sentinel...Member of the Florida Times-Union Super 75...Chose Miami over Auburn and Clemson...Coached by Jay Walls.

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