Darrin Johnson named to play in World Championship

[Hilltopper]

Did everyone see this SMUMustangs.com?


Johnson Selected For 2007 World Championship of American Football
SMU Lineman Named To Team USA

Johnson Selected For 2007 World Championship of American Football
May 23, 2007

VIENNA, VA. (USA FOOTBALL/SMU) - Former SMU offensive lineman Darrin Johnson is among the 45 players who will make up Team USA at the 2007 World Championship of American Football in July, USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck and Head Coach John Mackovic announced today. It will mark the first time that the United States will play in this international event.

Johnson, a four-year starter for the Mustangs, helped SMU reach bowl eligibility in 2006, starting all 12 games at left tackle.

The six-country tournament will be held July 7-15 in Kawasaki, Japan. This year's event is the third staged by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). Team USA will face Germany and Korea in pool play. The other pool will consist of host and two-time defending champion Japan along with Sweden and France.

"All of our efforts over the last year have been directed towards this announcement," USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck said. "Filling out our roster is another important milestone for USA Football. We now know the players who will represent our country and our game at the World Championship. All of us at USA Football are looking forward to seeing this team take the field for the first time."

The 45 players selected were chosen from a pool of 2006 college seniors and represent all levels of college football. NCAA and NAIA schools were asked by USA Football to nominate up to two seniors during the season. That list was pared down by the Team USA coaching staff through film evaluation.

"This team is a complete cross section of U.S. football," Team USA Head Coach John Mackovic said. "We're excited that we are able to blend every level of college football and put together a team of players from schools of every size. We hope to represent our country in the highest fashion and be great ambassadors for football around the world."
 

 


Team USA will train at San Jose State University from June 20-July 4 prior to leaving for Japan.

2007 United States National Team: Wide Receiver: Greg Aker, Minnesota-Duluth; Bobby Awrey, Saginaw Valley State; Jon Drenckhahn, Williams; Austin Flynn, Iowa State; Steve Odom, Toledo Tight End: D'Monn Baker, California (Pa.); Brian Thompson, Michigan Offensive Line: DARRIN JOHNSON, SMU; Alex Atkins, Tennessee-Martin; Marcel Burrough, San Jose State; Rick Drushal, Wooster; Kris King, Gardner-Webb; David Livengood, Indiana (Pa.); Chris Lundin, Adams State; Matt Padron; Texas State; Brad Poston, Coastal Carolina Runningback: Doug Blakowski, Hobart; Cody Childs, Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Taylor Craig, Yale; Kyle Kasperbauer, Nebraska-Omaha; Wendell Johnson, Fairmont State Quarterback: Adam Austin, Arizona; Jeff Ballard, TCU; Rocky Pentello, Capital Defensive Line: Michael Cobbins, Missouri Western; Dustin Dlouhy, Montana; Ryan Kleppe, Wisconsin-Whitewater; Matt Ludeman, Western Michigan; Shawn Moorehead, Iowa State; Chris Thorner, Syracuse; Jeremy Van Alstyne, Michigan Linebacker: Dan Adams, Holy Cross; Demetrius Eaton, Northwestern; Adam Paulson, Sioux Falls; Ryan Tully, Harvard; Brig Walker, Princeton Secondary: Manauris Arias, Maine; Diezeas Calbert, Northwest Missouri State; Kenny Chicoine, Cal Poly; Jason Hoffschneider, North Dakota; Josh Kubiak, Mary Hardin-Baylor; Rob Rodriguez, Christopher Newport; Steve Teeples, Wisconsin-La Crosse; Cary Wade, Virginia Tech Kicker: Craig Coffin, Southern Illinois

[stangdad 40]

congrats to darrin, well deserved.Always one of my favorite players.As nice a young man as you will ever meet.

[jtstang]

World Championship of AMERICAN Football. How embarrasing would it be to lose that tournament?

[expony18]

not as bad as losing to America palying futbol!

[PonyKai]

It wouldn't be too bad losing considering I don't think we're bringing our A Team of football talent. I mean Tavaris Jackson isn't going...how can we win?!

[PonyPride]

Congratulations to Darrin -- should be a fun experience for a great guy. I've had the pleasure of interviewing him several times over the years, and he's as nice a guy as you'll ever come across. Best of luck over there, D.