Flying Under The Radar: Alabama Linebacker Nico Johnson

At 6'3" and 240 lb, you'd think that Nico Johnson would be hard to miss on or off the field.

Fact is, he's a quiet worker and doesn't care about the limelight. But if you cross the line coming his way, he's gonna stop you dead in your tracks. Then he'll help you up, pat you on the helmet, and give you an "atta boy" for trying to get past him.

Nico is a fast learner, and when he was called on last year as a true freshman to stand in for his injured team mate, Donta' Hightower, he put his nose to the grind and got the job done better that anyone else expected.

Without a doubt, having the assistance of All-American, All-SEC and all time great Alabama linebacker, Rolando McClain to help him learn on the job helped a great deal. But nevertheless, it was Nico who had to bring his lunch pail and get it done, and that is exactly what he did in 2009.

The adjustment from high school to the faster-paced college game generally takes time. Time was not on the side of Alabama nor the friend of Nico Johnson.

Johnson had to learn at a faster speed to slip cut blocks, make plays inside-out or shed, separate or collapse. With his special blend of speed, lateral quickness and strength, he tuned into the Saban channel and excelled at all of the above.

As a result, the team ended up with two championships rings. Nico Johnson answered the call and stood in the gap.

Credit goes to the entire team, all 85. But players of the future, particularly freshman, now have a role model to look upon and strive to honor the legacy of the freshman called on "to do his job ."

Nico Johnson established that legacy. Nico Johnson is that model.

As a senior at Andalusia High School, Nico roamed the gridiron from the outside linebacker position, recording 78 tackles, two sacks and 11 interceptions. During his junior year, he registered 70 tackles; 15 of those for a loss.

Get this: his best year was as a sophomore, when he posted 128 tackles, 113 solo tackles, 13 tackles for loss and two interceptions.

Nico Johnson committed to the Capstone on 9/3/2008. He never wavered on his commitment to the Tide, despite efforts and offers from LSU, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Southern California, Texas A&M and Tennessee.

The five star recruit was a Parade All-American, US Army All-American, finalist for the first high school Butkus Award, SuperPrep Magazine All-American and SuperPrep Dixie Defensive Player of the Year.

He was awarded as member to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100, made the Orlando-Sentinel All-Southern Team and All-American selection by Tom Lemming's Prep Football. There are other honors and honorable mentions but the list is exhausting.

When you look for him on the field, he just blends in with his team mates, that is his disposition. He's not the guy you'll see flexing his muscles in the squat position standing over the fallen ball carrier. He's the guy you miss unless you watch the pile disperse to completion. He'll be helping the last guy get up.

When called on by Sunseri and Saban, following the injury to Hightower, Nico had to switch from outside to inside linebacker. He had the edge over Jerrell Harris who was serving a suspension for a bad decision. His experience in fall camp and the early season put him in a better position to play than another outstanding freshman, Tana Patrick.

Johnson was not an opportunist, he was a players player. He stepped up and filled the need in short order. His No. 35 was called and he responded the way he had been taught to respond to adversity; with calmness, resolve and confidence.

He was a student in the film room and on the field. He was dedicated and humbled himself under the tutelage of his team mates and coaches.

While Corey Reamer, Eryk Anders and the other veterans made adjustments in the next game against Kentucky, Johnson prepared to become a full time player.

Johnson filled the needs of his team on what became the best defense in the SEC, and possibly the best defense in the storied history of the Alabama football program. If not the best, the 2009 defense will be mentioned in the same breath and will be the standard by which this year's defense and many future defenses will be measured.

Following the injury to Hightower, Johnson played in all remaining games of the season. He finished the year with 17 solo tackles, 11 assists, 4 solo tackles for loss, and one sack for a 15 yard loss. He had one forced fumble on the season, as well.

On pass plays, Johnson had two pass breakups and two passes defended. He had two stops and one tackle for loss in the SEC championship game.

Of the returning defensive players, only Mark Barron (76 tackles) and Marcell Dareus (33 tackles) contributed more, statistically. And remember, those fellas and the others that Johnson's statistics surpassed played in all 14 games of the 2009 season.

Along with teammates Barrett Jones and Trent Richardson, Nico Johnson was named to the 2009 Sporting News Freshman All-Southeastern Football Team.

In 2009, Nico Johnson was a star in the making. In 2010, expect this star to rise and shine.