Conference shifts not a worry for RB

When the No. 76 prospect in the country, running back Andrew Johnson from Pittsburgh (Pa.) North Hills, decided to commit to Pittsburgh in July, the conference he had planned to sign on with had a completely different look than it does today. The changes, however, have not affected his decision, and he is ready to become a Panther.

“I think it will be a good conference,” he commented. “I think the teams will step it up.”

Rated the No. 8 running back in the country, Johnson has rushed for 1,150 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior. One of the reasons for his eagerness to remain a Panther was the way he saw his future team handle Virginia Tech. He was in the stands and liked what he saw in his future teammates.

“I think (wide receiver) Larry (Fitzgerald) and (quarterback) Rod (Rutherford) should be up for the Heisman,” he said. “They both played outstanding games.”

Andrew also liked something that he saw in the opponent.

“I think Kevin Jones is the best running back in the country,” he explained. “I think I have the exact running style of Kevin also.” At 6-foot-0 and 205 pounds, with a 4.40-second 40-yard dash and a 36-inch vertical leap, that is hard to argue at this point.

Johnson said he does not plan to take any official visits, because there is nowhere that he wants to go. He has made his decision. Does he have any other feelings toward jumping into the new Big East?

“No thoughts,” he stated. “I'm just anxious to start my college career. That's all.”

Pitt fans are thinking the same thing.