Nico Johnson

Nico Johnson

Alabama Crimson Tide — No. 35
Linebacker	Junior
Major: Unknown
Date of birth: June 19, 1990 (1990-06-19) (age 21)
Place of birth: Andalusia, Alabama
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	Weight: 245 lb (111 kg; 17 st 7 lb)
Career history
High school: Andalusia High School, Andalusia, Alabama
College(s): University of Alabama (2009–present)
Career highlights and awards
2008 High School All-American (Parade) 2009 All-SEC Freshman Team [1]
Stats at CBSSports.com

Nico Johnson (born June 19, 1990) is an American football linebacker. He currently attends the University of Alabama in his junior year. Johnson is considered one of the best outside linebackers in his class.^[2]

High school career

Johnson attended Andalusia High School in Alabama, where he recorded 78 tackles, 32 assists, one fumble recovery, one blocked punt and 11 interceptions during his senior season. As a junior, he made 80 tackles and blocked one field goal attempt.

Johnson received ASWA first team All-State honors three consecutive times and was named to the Orlando Sentinel′s All-Southern Team (AL) and the Press Register′s Super Southeast 120 (#12). He also earned All-American honors by Parade, was a finalist for the High School Butkus Award, and was selected U.S. Army All-American Bowl, where he led the West squad with four solo tackles, including two tackles for loss.

Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Johnson was ranked as the No. 2 outside linebacker prospect.^[3] He has made numerous visits to Alabama and said one of the reasons he chose the Crimson Tide over finalists Auburn, Florida, Louisiana State and Southern California was to be near his mother, who suffered from diabetes.^[4]

College career

In May 2009, Johnson was accused of "a verbal, non-physical altercation with another male," filed by a relative of a fellow Andalusia High School student (considered a minor).^[5] He was acquitted of the charge three weeks later.^[6]

Johnson started the season as a backup, but soon had to step in for the injured Dont'a Hightower.^[7] He played in 12 games as a true freshman and made three starts at weak-side inside linebacker ("Will") next to Rolando McClain, against South Carolina, Tennessee and Chattanooga. He finished the 2009 season with 28 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss (−18 yards) and one quarterback sack (−15 yards), earning a freshman All-SEC selection by the league coaches and Sporting News.

College career statistics

Correct as of game played December 12, 2010.^[8][9]

Year	GP–GS	Tackles				Sacks	Pass Defense				Fumbles		Blocked
		Solo	Ast	Total	Loss–Yards	No–Yards	Int–Yards	BU	PD	QBH	Rcv–Yards	FF	Kick
2009	11–2	16	11	27	4.5–18	1–15	0–0	2	2	0	0–0	1	0
2010	12-10	11	19	10	29	2.5-2	1-0	1	2	1	0-0	0	0
Total	23-12	27	30	37	33.5-18	3.5-17	1-0	3	4	1	0-0	1	0

References

1. ^ "3 Tiders On All-SEC Frosh", Scout.com, December 10, 2009, http://alabama.scout.com/2/927952.html 
2. ^ NFL Draft - 2013 ILB Draft Prospects, CBSSports.com, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/TSX/2013_OLB 
3. ^ Rivals.com outside linebackers 2009, January 16, 2009, http://www.rivals.com/viewrank.asp?ra_key=2129 
4. ^ Estes, Gentry (September 3, 2008), "Alabama adds prep star Nico Johnson", Mobile Press-Register, http://blog.al.com/bamabeat/2008/09/alabama_adds_prep_star_nico_jo.html 
5. ^ Estes, Gentry (May 8, 2009), "Crimson Tide signee Nico Johnson accused of "verbal, non-physical altercation"", Mobile Press-Register, http://blog.al.com/bamabeat/2009/05/crimson_tide_signee_nico_johns.html 
6. ^ "Nico Johnson acquitted of harassment charge", Tuscaloosa News, May 27, 2009, http://www.tidesports.com/article/20090527/NEWS/905279992 
7. ^ Melick, Ray (August 5, 2009), "5 battles to watch as the Crimson Tide starts summer football practice", Birmingham News, http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-sports/2009/08/5_battles_to_watch_as_the_crim.html 
8. ^ Cumulative Season Statistics, University of Alabama Athletic Department, http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2009-2010/teamcume.html, retrieved 2009-12-06 
9. ^ , http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2010-2011/teamcume.html 

External links

• Alabama Crimson Tide bio
• Highlights of Nico Johnson by Takkle on YouTube

Persondata
Name	Johnson, Nico
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	June 19, 1990
Place of birth	Andalusia, Alabama
Date of death
Place of death