Originally published Feb. 2, 2006 in The Omaha World-Herald
Did you know?: Johnson's teammates and friends call him "the Beast." He'll follow former Compton CC teammate Ola Dagunduro to NU.
Coachspeak: "He's really going to be a steal." -- Angelo Jackson, Compton head coach
What the gurus say: JCgridiron.com ranks Johnson as the No. 84 junior college prospect overall.
About Johnson: It's been an interesting ride for Johnson, who was so lightly recruited out of Marshall High in Chicago that he played his freshman season at NAIA Graceland University (Iowa) before transferring to Compton CC. Now he's headed for Big 12 Conference play. "I think he had a lot of ability," Compton coach Angelo Jackson said. "He just needed the exposure." Johnson had 10 sacks in 10 games despite often facing double-teams his sophomore season. He has 4.8 speed and is solid physically. "While Ola (Dagunduro) went to Nebraska and got in shape and got his body type changed, Brandon's already there," Jackson said. A number of Big Ten schools that weren't interested two years ago suddenly were this time around, including Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan State.
How we see it: With starters Le Kevin Smith and Titus Adams gone, Johnson more than likely needs to play and play well. That became even more the case when Rulon Davis, another defensive tackle recruit from the JC ranks, backed out of his commitment to the Huskers.