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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Belton Johnson, Eddie Strong Latest NFL Signees
5/2/2003 | Football
May 2, 2003
OXFORD, Miss. - Offensive tackle Belton Johnson and linebacker Eddie Strong are the latest Ole Miss Rebels to sign free agent contracts with National Football League teams.
Johnson, a 6-5, 304 pounder from Coffeeville, Miss., signed a two-year pact with the Cincinnati Bengals, while Strong, a 6-4, 245 pounder from Batesville, Miss., signed with the New York Giants. Johnson and Strong joined wide receiver Jason Armstead as free agent signees off the 2002 Rebel squad. Armstead signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this week. Ole Miss center Ben Claxton was drafted in the fifth round last Sunday by the Denver Broncos.
Johnson started 36 consecutive games at Ole Miss since 2000, and was a veteran on an offensive line that has allowed the fewest sacks in the Southeastern Conference since 1999 with 50. He also helped the Rebels rank second in the SEC last season with 17.
With Johnson operating at right tackle, Ole Miss generated over 350 yards of total offense in 8-of-13 games last season, including at least 450 yards in four contests. Ole Miss scored 351 points and topped the 300-point mark for a school-record third straight season.
Strong closed out his Ole Miss career in 2002 by being named to the Coaches All-SEC first team and playing in the East-West Shrine Game. He finished his career with 306 tackles (179 solos), with 10.5 sacks for minus 78 yards, 26 stops for losses of 104 yards, 13 quarterback pressures, 13 pass deflections, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, and seven fumble recoveries in 43 games.
After missing the 2000 season with a fractured foot, Strong returned in 2001 to start every game and lead the team with a career-high 105 tackles, becoming the first Ole Miss player since Nate Wayne in 1996 to register over 100 tackles in a season.
Strong's final game at Ole Miss, the 2002 MainStay Independence Bowl, saw him credited with 10 tackles and one pass deflection in a 27-23 victory over Nebraska. He helped the Rebel defensive effort hold the powerful Nebraska rushing attack to just 59 yards in the second half as the Cornhuskers managed just four yards rushing on 12 attempts in the fourth quarter.
