Brian Johnston DE -Gardner Webb

[Tribal Warfare]

Overview Brian Johnston 2007 is the Big South Defensive Player of the Year: just the second repeat winner of the Big South Defensive Player of the Year award, as he was the 2006 honoree. Johnston was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award and was the lone FCS player named to the Ted Hendricks National Defensive End of the Year Award Watch List this season. Johnston led the Big South and finished second nationally in tackles-for-loss per game (2.18), and posted a Big South single-season record of 24.0 TFL. He also recorded six sacks (second in the Conference) while making 74 tackles on the season. He had seven games with at least 2.0 TFL, including five games with three-or-more, and had 12.5 TFL in four League games. He is a promising prospect with above average size, strength and upfield explosiveness. Is the best defensive prospect in the conference and could be as good or better than Justin Smith if he maxes out. Strengths Good sized DE, has decent athletic ability. Good against the run and pass. Good enough athlete to have started as a Frosh at SLB, and caught a 3 yard touchdown pass this season. Has benched 450, squatted 505, Weaknesses Has been able to use raw strength and speed to overwhelm opponents, he does not have a polished array of moves. Has short arms. 31.75 inches, for such a rangy athlete and needs to work on getting underneath the quicker footed OTs he'll face at the next level. Projection A possible 6th or even a 5th rounder. If he can get stronger and keep his speed and quickness he could be a real find on day 2. It's not impossible a team could try him as a 3-4 OLB but he is not used to being in space.

[Raiderh8ter77]

more impressing than some of the other guys

[Direckshun]

FTW.

[Marco Polo]

Impressive, Herm.

[Chiefmanwillcatch]

[Ultra Peanut]

Well, that was great value.

[CrazyPhuD]

More tidbits...

Gardner-Webb product Brian Johnston, a rising prospect for this April's NFL Draft, wowed scouts at his first workout Saturday. Working out at San Diego State for a handful of NFL scouts, Johnston showed exactly why he is one of the top defensive end prospects heading into April's annual draft. Measuring in at 6-foot-5, 274 pounds, Johnston ran his first 40-yard dash in 4.66 seconds. Johnston's 40-yard dash time would have been the fourth best at the NFL combine for defensive ends, and the best for any lineman weighing more than 260 pounds. Johnston's most impressive stat from the 40-yard dash came with a very strong 1.51-second time through the first 10 yards, an important time with regards to a players quickness. By comparison, Johnston's 10-yard split was the same as Arkansas' running back Darren McFadden turned in at the Combine earlier this year. Johnston pulled off an impressive 35-inch vertical leap as well on Saturday, which would have ranked second among defensive linemen at the NFL Scouting Combine - and best for a player of his size. The most impressive result overall, however, may have been Johnston's time in the 20-yard shuttle. He turned in a 4.18-second time, which is better than any lineman at the NFL's Scouting Combine. In fact, the 4.18-second time was faster than any running back at the event - with Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall the only back to match that time. - Shelby Star

[Mizzou_8541]

Originally Posted by pestilenceaf23

Say hello to our new 2nd round pick.

Good call...

[Tribal Warfare]

The media is really underestimating Brian Johnston, I really believe he could be the next Jared Allen and his production also states my case .

[Micjones]

I think this kid is going to surprise the good people in Chiefs kingdom.