Gardner-Webb's Johnston Named To Walter Camp All-American Team
December 07, 2007 | Football
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Gardner-Webb senior Brian Johnston was
named to the 2007 Walter Camp Foundation FCS All-America Team on
Friday, becoming the first GWU player to ever earn that
distinction.
The team, which features 27 members on offense, defense and special
teams, is voted on by the nation's sports information directors and
head coaches – and is certified by UHY Advisors, a New
Haven-based accounting firm.
Johnston (6-5, 280) had an amazing final season at Gardner-Webb,
collecting 74 total tackles (37 solo), a Big South Conference and
school-record 24.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks and 22 quarterback
pressures.
The San Diego, Calif., defensive end was named Big South Conference
Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in 2007, after
finishing second nationally in tackles for loss and leading the
league's top statistical defensive unit.
The honor marks the first of what should be a highly-decorated
offseason for Johnston, who was also an All-America selection
(Associated Press, Football Gazette) following the 2006 season.
Johnston, expected to be a high pick in the 2008 NFL Draft,
recently signed with agent Tony Agnone (Baltimore, Md.), who
currently represents some of the top defensive linemen in the
National Football League; including Michael Strahan (Giants),
Patrick Kearney (Seahawks), Osi Umenyiora (Giants), John Abraham
(Falcons) and Antwan Odom (Titans).
Johnston, who finished as the Bulldogs' career leader in tackles
for loss and quarterback pressures, is also in the process of
deciding on an All-Star game.
The Walter Camp Foundation's All-America Team is one of the
country's most prestigious groups.
Camp, "The Father of American Football," first selected an
AllAmerica team in 1889. A former Yale University athlete and
football coach – Camp is also credited with developing play
from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and
tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side.
The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all
volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals
of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting All-America
teams for the Football Bowl (FBS) and Championship (FCS)
subdivisions.
