Miami Hurricanes Andre Johnson 2nd Best WR Prospect Since 2001

Miami Hurricanes all-time great wide receiver Andre Johnson was named the second-best wide receiver prospect since 2001 by NFL.Com’s Bucky Brooks.

Johnson played at Miami from 2000-02. He was a part of one of the greatest eras in Miami Hurricanes history. In his three seasons in a UM uniform, the Hurricanes went 35-2. The ‘Canes won 34 in a row during those three seasons.

Johnson burst onto the scene as a Sophomore. He played behind future NFL Stars Santana Moss and Reggie Wayne as a freshman in 2000. Johnson recorded only three receptions in the 2000 season.

He became one of Ken Dorsey’s go to receivers as a Sophomore in 2001. Johnson’s 682 yards and ten touchdowns led Miami’s 2001 National Champions.

Johnson had touchdowns in nine of Miami’s 12 games during that championship season. He scorched Nebraska for seven receptions for 199 yards and two touchdowns in the National Championship victory over Nebraska in the Rose Bowl. Johnson and Dorsey shared the MVP Award.

Johnson improved as a Junior. He caught 52 passes for 1,092 yards and ten touchdowns. He turned pro after his Junior season. Johnson was the third overall pick by the Houston Texans in the 2003 NFL Draft.

The 6’3 Wide Receiver with sprinter’s speed was chosen after USC quarterback Carson Palmer went first to the Cincinnati Bengals and Michigan State wide receiver Charles Rogers went to the Detroit Lions.

Johnson is tenth in Miami Hurricanes history in receiving yards, sixth in touchdowns and 24th in receptions. He is the most talented and completely athletic player at wide receiver in Miami history.

NFL.Com’s Bucky Brooks is the one who compiled the rankings. Brooks is a former NFL player and scout and is currently an analyst for the NFL Network and NFL.Com.

He wrote an extensive summary on Andre Johson:

"“It’s hard to find big-bodied receivers with the combination of size, speed, athleticism and ball skills Johnson displayed as the No. 1 receiver at “The U” during the early 2000s. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder dominated opponents on the perimeter as a vertical playmaker with explosive route-running ability and exceptional ball skills…In addition to his gridiron exploits, Johnson impressed scouts with raw explosiveness in track when he captured Big East titles in the 60-meter dash (6.81) and 100-meter dash (10.59) in 2002. He hammered that point home when he blew up the combine with a stellar performance in workouts prior to the 2003 draft (4.40 40; 39-inch vertical and 11-foot broad jump).As a pro, Johnson was even better than advertised as a big-bodied WR1 with outstanding speed and burst. The seven-time Pro Bowl selectee racked up seven 1,000-yard seasons and 70 career touchdowns in 14 seasons. In addition, Johnson surpassed the 100-catch mark five times and led the NFL in receiving yards in back-to-back years (2008 and 2009). Given his credentials as a 10,000-yard-club member (14,185) and consistent dominance as a No. 1 receiver, Johnson is arguably the gold “"

Johnson only announced his retirement this past offseason. He finished his NFL career ranked 11th all-time in receptions and receiving yards and 15th in receiving yards per game. It should only be a matter of time before he is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

If and when Johnson becomes a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he would become the seventh player from Miami inducted. He would become the second wide receiver. Michael Irvin was inducted in 2007.

Irvin and Johnson would also become the second tandem at the same position to be Hall of Famers from the U. Defensive Tackles Warren Sapp and the late Cortez Kennedy were inducted in 2013 and 2012.

Next: Miami Hurricanes HC Mark Richt Named 9th in Nation by Sporting News

Brooks conducted his list from his own scouting notes since 2001. He has also ranked the top quarterbacks, runnings backs and pass rushers in the same time frame. The only other Miami player on the list is running back Willie McGahee.

Home/Miami Hurricanes Football