DARIUS JOHNSON: Addressing his future

[PonyPride]

In the days leading up to Thursday's Armed Forces Bowl, a report made the rounds on the internet suggesting that sophomore SMU wide receiver Darius Johnson would be academically suspended for the spring semester or the 2011 season, or perhaps both.

But minutes after being named SMU's Most Valuable Player in Thursday's game, Johnson visited with PonyFans.com to discuss the report ... a report which he says is not true. Johnson said he will be eligible to take part in spring football and to play next season, and discusses what he has to do to improve on the field and in the classroom.

Enjoy!

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[OC Mustang]

Can I hear a collective sigh of relief?!

Let's see: Wilkerson back...DJ back...Holman...Beasley...Haynes...Johnson (17)...and who else?

I see a lot of frustration, disappointment, and worry about next year (schedule, etc.).

I think we will be fine, and I look forward to seeing how all of this plays out!

[Big Hoss]

Dammit OC Mustang I love your optimism! Very relieved to hear that DJ is good to go. He made a couple great catches in today's game, and each time I had this feeling of anxiety that his academic status might reduce his future playing time.

[RGV Pony]

Best news of thhe day

[OC Mustang]

I don't drink Kool-Aid, but seriously, step back for a sec...2 bowl games in 3 years of new coach...graduate 1 senior starter on offense (right?...Haynes isn't one, correct?)...and 3 on defense. Everybody else, pretty much, is back. I'll take it. The big picture is that SMU, for once, is in a position to meet the schedule and opponent challenges head on. Seriously...the team was put together with gauze and medical tape the last half of the season. Nobody really man-handled SMU except Houston, and really, IMHO, that was directly due to medical tape and effed up weather.

Big Picture: next year will be entertaining and fun and competitive...and it will continue to be so until they play...and that's what is so cool about it. As my youngest said today, "The helicopters were cool, Dad, but it ain't over until the fat lady sings." I asked, "So...she warming up yet?"...he replies, "SMU is the best, Dad. You know that. But they should try to keep the helicopters. They look cool in the stadium."

Kid logic...it's about me hanging out with him. Winning simply gives us more to be excited about.

For the record, the oldest is starting a "Zach Line for Heisman" FB page. Be on the lookout.

So yeah, I'm doing the optimist thing. 2010 was a crappy year...time to move on.

[EastStang]

This is huge and welcome news. Next year just got better. Now, if KP and the receivers can spend some time learning run and shoot 201 to get up to speed, we can really rock next year.

[ALEX LIFESON]

Let's see: Wilkerson back...DJ back...Holman...Beasley...Haynes...Johnson (17)...and who else?

As Wilkerson has let his team and family down once before, it appears not much has changed. Someone pointed him out to me in Ford yesterday, it looks like he was 15-20 pounds overweight, sporting a beer gut to boot. I couldn't believe it was him, but it was. Very disappointing, yet again.

[mrydel]

Let's see: Wilkerson back...DJ back...Holman...Beasley...Haynes...Johnson (17)...and who else?

As Wilkerson has let his team and family down once before, it appears not much has changed. Someone pointed him out to me in Ford yesterday, it looks like he was 15-20 pounds overweight, sporting a beer gut to boot. I couldn't believe it was him, but it was. Very disappointing, yet again.

Are you sure that was not me? Not beer but a lot of other fine foods.

[ALEX LIFESON]

As Wilkerson has let his team and family down once before, it appears not much has changed. Someone pointed him out to me in Ford yesterday, it looks like he was 15-20 pounds overweight, sporting a beer gut to boot. I couldn't believe it was him, but it was. Very disappointing, yet again.[/quote]
Are you sure that was not me? Not beer but a lot of other fine foods.[/quote]

No old friend, I'm sure. You are a couple of years older, and a couple of shades lighter!

[sbsmith]

Going to need him to step up and become the new deep threat.

[SMU 86]

Cool. Dueling internet reports. One says he will be here and one says he will not. I guess we'll see who is right pretty soon.

[Rebel10]

Wow, Steve just basically called Armen publicly a flat out liar. I wonder if anyone has talked to the coaches about this situation. Should be interesting to see what happens.

[Junior]

well, i for one would be happy to see both DJ and TW back.

[JasonB]

Wow, Steve just basically called Armen publicly a flat out liar. I wonder if anyone has talked to the coaches about this situation. Should be interesting to see what happens.

No, actually, I don't think he did. Not putting words in Steve's mouth, but it sounds to me like DJ was worried about it, Armen pulled the role of tabloid journalism by running with the story even though it wasn't a lock, and Steve just waited until all the details were smoothed out.

And, what JJ is harping on with recruiting is DEPTH. Next year we have DJ, JJ, Beas, and Centers competing in the slot fro two positions. Maybe more players than that. On the outside, Thompson, Wilkerson, Haynes, Holman and others will compete. If someone shows up out of shape or doesn't have the academics in order, we have skilled players to slip right in, not having to rely on a true frosh to come in and help us out. It's nice to be in that position, isn't it?

[The PonyGrad]

Good news about DJ. I had given up on DJ for the future, it was kind of a bummer as we watched him perform in the bowl game.