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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebs Offensive Lineman Marcus Johnson Selected By Minnesota Vikings
4/23/2005 | Football
April 23, 2005
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Offensive lineman Marcus Johnson of Coffeeville, Miss., became the second Ole Miss Rebel selected during the opening day of the National Football League draft here Saturday when the Minnesota Vikings chose him in the second round with the 49th overall pick.
Earlier in the day, Ole Miss center Chris Spencer was selected in the first round with the 26th overall pick by the Seattle Seahawks.
Johnson (6-6, 321), a team captain, started 45 games at right guard and three other contests at right tackle during his four-year career at Ole Miss. He received the J. Richard Price Courage and Compassion Award, which is presented annually to the rising senior lineman who, in the opinion of his coaches, has demonstrated extraordinary courage and unusual compassion in their dedication to the team and Ole Miss.
With his brother Belton (now with Cincinnati) lining up at right tackle, Johnson started at right guard in 2001, earning Freshman All-American (fourth-team) honors from The Sporting News. He and his brother were key players on an offensive line that was second in the Southeastern Conference in the fewest sacks allowed (14) as Ole Miss generated over 350 yards of total offense in 8-of-13 games, including at least 450 yards in four contests in 2002.
In 2003, he again started every game at right tackle, paving the way for an offense that helped Ole Miss rank first in the SEC in scoring (34.0 ppg), passing (286.0 ypg), and total offense (433.2 ypg) and set school season offensive records for points scored (442), touchdown passes (31), passing yards (3,718), passing yards per game (286.0), first downs (295), offensive plays (940), total offense (5,631) and total offense per game (433.2).
In 2004, he did not allow more than two tackles in any game, including shutting out his opponents completely in the Wyoming and South Carolina clashes.
The selection of Johnson and Spencer marked the fourth straight year for Ole Miss to have at least one offensive lineman selected in the NFL Draft. Offensive tackle Stacy Andrews was a fourth round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2004, center Ben Claxton was a fifth round selection of the Denver Broncos in 2003, and guard Terrence Metcalf was a third round choice of the Chicago Bears in 2002. Two Rebel offensive linemen were selected in 2000 when tackle Todd Wade was a second round pick of the Miami Dolphins and tackle Tutan Reyes was a fifth round pick of the New Orleans Saints.
