Dec. 8, 2008
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech senior defensive end Michael Johnson has been named 2008 AFCA Coaches’ first team All-American, the American Football Coaches Association has announced.
A Georgia Tech player has earned first team All-American honors by a major source 57 times in history, including each of the last four years. Calvin Johnson was a first team All-American in 2005 and 2006, and punter Durant Brooks was a first team selection in 2007. Johnson is the 13th different Yellow Jacket to be named first team All-American by the AFCA.
Johnson has 43 tackles (26 solo), leads the team in sacks (7.0) and tackles-for-loss (15.0). The Selma (Ala.) native has two forced fumbles, seven pass break-ups, and has also returned an interception for a touchdown (vs. Miami). Johnson, who was a 2008 finalist for the Bednarik (nation’s top defensive player) and Hendricks (nation’s top defensive end) Awards, was named to first team All-ACC earlier this month.
Despite serving just one year as a full-time starter, Johnson ranks ninth in Georgia Tech history with 17.0 career sacks. He has blocked three field goals over his four-year career including one against Mississippi State earlier this season.
In four games against Top 25 opponents this season, he has made 15 tackles, five TFLs, three sacks, one interception, and a forced fumble.
The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions.
