Johnson showing promise at receiver
Michael Johnson saw quarterback Mike Clausen scrambling, so instead of running to the flat, Johnson dashed downfield on a wheel route.
Clausen saw the wide receiver, then threw an 18-yard touchdown pass that Johnson caught between two defenders during UNLV’s football practice Monday morning.
No wonder Johnson is one of two incoming freshmen — Western High School graduate Phillip Payne is the other — with an excellent chance to crack UNLV’s third, fourth or fifth receiver spot before the Aug. 30 opener against Utah State at Sam Boyd Stadium.
Johnson (5 feet 8 inches, 170 pounds) was a quarterback at Rodriguez High School in Fairfield, Calif. He passed for 1,257 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushed for 775 yards and three TDs in 2007 to lead Rodriguez to an 11-2 record and a sectional championship.
He said he didn’t have any problem switching to receiver, especially since he was determined to play immediately.
"It would’ve been nice to play quarterback in college, but I really had no intentions on playing quarterback in college because I don’t have the size for it," Johnson said. "Receiver is what I wanted to do. The body style I have is built for speed, and that’s what I can do."
Johnson didn’t know his 40-yard dash time, saying he never had been timed.
"If I’m in the open field, I don’t think I’m going to get caught," he said. "That’s the kind of speed I think I have."
UNLV coach Mike Sanford prefers an eyeball assessment to measurable statistics when recruiting players, and he got one receiver in Johnson who was deemed not big enough and another in Payne who was considered not fast enough.
But both receivers have shined in preseason camp, and both are in the hunt for those valuable slots in the rotation.
"It’s one of those deals where the tape doesn’t lie," Sanford said. "Neither guy was highly recruited, but they are really good players. We saw it on tape. We loved them both on tape."
• BEFORE AND AFTER — Perhaps senior guard Sifa Moala should create his own diet.
He lost 40 pounds in six to seven weeks to get down to 325 on his 6-1 frame. Moala, who played at 370 pounds last year, said in addition to a demanding offseason workout program, he ate more meals each day but in smaller portions. He also avoided carbohydrates and opted for foods such as chicken breasts and green vegetables.
"I’d see my teammates and I’d know what they’d need of me," Moala said. "I also knew that I could be a better player by losing a lot of weight. I’d be much faster and quicker on the field."
The work paid off. Moala now is working with the first team at left guard.
• BACK AT WORK — Sophomore defensive end Preston Brooks (ribs) and incoming freshman tailback C.J. Cox (shoulder) practiced.
Cox was injured Sunday, and Brooks sat out drills that day.
• PRACTICE STANDOUTS — Offensive left tackle Matt Murphy and defensive tackle Malo Taumua, both sophomores, wore black jerseys Monday, meaning they were the best players on their respective sides of the ball the previous day.
Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.
CAMP REPORT IN THE SPOTLIGHT MIDDLE LINEBACKER: This is Ronnie Paulo’s position, and the Western High School graduate is giving coaches plenty of reasons for optimism. He has future star written all over him, but whether he reaches that level this season is uncertain. The clear No. 2 is another local, Palo Verde High product Rusty Worthen. Incoming freshmen Travis Trickey and Dominic Bonetpels, a Silverado High graduate, are competing for No. 3. The Rebels are waiting to see if Jimmy Miller takes care of his academics and returns. Incoming freshman Nate Carter, who went to Las Vegas High, moves over from the outside when UNLV goes into nickel and dime coverages. MIDDLE LINEBACKER DEPTH CHART Player, Ht., Wt., Yr. • Ronnie Paulo, 6-1, 230, So. • Rusty Worthen, 5-11, 235, Sr. • Dominic Bonetpels, 6-0, 215, Fr. • Travis Trickey, 6-2, 220, Fr. • Jimmy Miller, 5-11, 225, Jr. WHO’S HOT Senior tailback Frank Summers is 19 pounds lighter than last season, and showed it Monday. The 231-pound Summers ran for a 20-yard touchdown and caught a swing pass from quarterback Omar Clayton for a 10-yard score in the afternoon practice. Summers also ran for a 12-yard TD in the morning session. INJURY REPORT Player. Injury. Status • Brendon Lamers, Hip, Limited • David Peeples, Foot, Limited • Austin Harrington, Leg, Out • Quinton Pointer, Elbow, Out QUOTE OF THE DAY "In our opinion, and regardless of what the so-called experts said, he was the best receiver in the city of Las Vegas. When we lost some of those other guys (to other schools), we weren’t one bit disappointed." Coach Mike Sanford, on Western High School graduate Phillip Payne
