April 3, 2008
Georgia Tech senior wide receiver James Johnson, who voluntarily left the football program and was unavailable at the time to comment about his decision on Wednesday, made the following statement today:
“Leaving the Georgia Tech football team was a decision I have considered for some time. I did not think it was fair to the coaches and my teammates for me to be out there, taking up a scholarship, when my heart really wasn’t in to playing football.
“I am all for what Coach Johnson is doing. My decision had nothing to do with the coaching change or the change in the offense. I am all for what Coach Johnson and his staff are doing and the direction that Georgia Tech is taking. The future of the program is very bright. I will always be a Yellow Jacket.”
Despite several nagging injuries, Johnson produced impressive numbers during his three-year career: 78 receptions, 1,240 yards and nine touchdown receptions. After redshirting in 2004, Johnson played in three straight bowl games and in the 2006 ACC Championship game. He made more than 25 career starts and in 2006 hauled in seven touchdown passes.
