Johnson welcomes opportunity at AA Bowl
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West Team (roster)
Offensive guard
Hammond, La.
Johnson in actionClick 6-4, 315, 5.11Here to view this Link.
Rivals.com Rankings
Rivals.com offensive guards: No. 19
Rivals.com Louisiana top 40: No. 27
Hammond (La.) offensive lineman Rishaw Johnson has been impressive everywhere he has been during the past two years.
Because of Hurricane Katrina, Johnson's junior season was split between Saint Augustine High in New Orleans and Southern Lab in Baton Rouge. He was a standout despite the nomadic nature of his situation.
On this year's summer camp circuit, Johnson showed he was one of the top prospects at his position in Louisiana. Johnson earned early scholarship offers from Ole Miss, Florida State and LSU.
This season at Hammond, Johnson has played both ways and graded out at more than 85 percent each game.
For his efforts, Johnson has been named to the West squad of the inaugural Offense-Defense All-American Bowl. The game kicks off at 5 p.m. (Eastern) Thursday, Jan. 4, at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Rivals.com is the official selection partner of the event.
"Once I found out I had goose bumps," Johnson said. "I couldn't believe I was an All-American. I called my friends and family right away and let them know."
On the recruiting trail, Johnson is committed to Ole Miss. He will visit the Rebels officially, along with Florida State and LSU.
The 6-foot-4, 325-pounder believes that the tenacity he brings to playing offensive line will help him achieve optimal success in the game.
"I get after defensive linemen every play," he said. "Most offensive lineman want to finesse block, but I get after them every play. I try to put them down."
This season, Johnson is learning what life is like for those defensive players he attacks. He rarely comes off the field, playing both ways for Hammond. He believes that his experience at HHS, along with the other schools he has attended, has helped him grow as a player.
"I've been to three different schools since the Hurricane and learned a lot from each one, he said. "At Hammond, we have more than 60 plays, so I'm learning to remember and execute different plays."
Johnson is excited about getting the chance to execute against the best from the West in practice and against a talented East defensive line in the game.
"I'm excited about it," he said. "I am going to bring my 'A' game. I hope they bring theirs.
"It's going to be a good one."
Others announced today:
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