UFL's Colonials Sign No. 1 Overall Draft Pick
May 20, 2011 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Hartford Colonials News Release
EAST HARTFORD, CT - May 20, 2011 - The Hartford Colonials signed quarterback Jerrod Johnson to a contract for the 2011 United Football League season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"It feels good. I'm just excited to get going and I'm ready for the opportunity," said Johnson, who spoke about his opportunity with the Colonials on ESPN2's First Take on Tuesday, May 17. "I'm excited to continue my football career with Coach Glanville and I'm looking forward to getting to Connecticut. I actually just got done working out, so I'm getting ready."
Johnson, 22, was the first overall selection in the UFL Draft on May 2 after becoming the all-time leading quarterback at Texas A&M. A dynamic dual threat at QB, he set two Big 12 records and 24 school records during his four-year career with the Aggies.
Johnson holds career records by Texas A&M quarterback in passing yards (8,011), completions (650) and touchdowns (67) as well as total offense (8,888). He was the recipient of the Coaches' Choice Award as selected by the coaching staff. The award is given to a senior who completed his eligibility and represented the foundation and cornerstones of Texas A&M football - integrity with mental toughness, respect, trust and loyalty.
Johnson (6-5, 243) had his best season as a junior in 2009, accounting for 4,085 yards in offense and 38 touchdowns to earn All-Big 12 Second Team honors. He completed 59.6 percent (296-for-497) of his passes and threw for 3,579 yards with 30 touchdowns in 13 games. He also ran for 506 yards and scored eight touchdowns. As a senior in 2010, Johnson passed for 1,947 yards and 14 touchdowns in seven games as he continued his recovery from right shoulder surgery in the offseason.
"If he never got injury, he doesn't end up in Hartford. He'd be in the NFL. But here's Hartford willing to give the kid a second chance," Colonials head coach and general manager Jerry Glanville said. "So I think it's a marriage for both sides. I think both sides will benefit from the experience."
Johnson, a native of Houston, TX, completed 58.6 percent (650-1,109) of his passes with 67 touchdowns and 22 interceptions in 35 games at Texas A&M. He set a Big 12 record by throwing 242 passes without an interception.
The Colonials have signed six of their 11 draft picks, including the top three selections. Hartford currently has 48 players under contract for 2011. Teams have the UFL rights to unsigned draft picks or players on the Protected or Reserve/Unsigned lists.
United Football League Stories from May 20, 2011
- UFL's Colonials Sign No. 1 Overall Draft Pick - Hartford Colonials
- UFL Transactions - UFL 1
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