MONTICELLO – University of Arkansas at Monticello football coach Gwaine Mathews has announced the signing of transfer wide receiver Justin Johnson from the University of Alabama-Birmingham to join the team for the 2009 season.
 
“We have been looking for someone to replace Tim Harris and Clarence Denmark,” said Mathews. “(Johnson) is a multi-talented receiver that has both speed and size… He should fit right in immediately with our offense.”
 
Johnson (Dothan, Ala.) comes to UAM after spending two seasons at UAB, an NCAA Division I-Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program. As a Blazer, he caught a total of eight passes for 83 yards, including a 43 yard catch in a 2008 game against Florida Atlantic.
 
“(Newly hired assistant coach) Troy Stubbs gets credit for this one,” said Mathews. “Coach Stubbs has really hit the ground running since he was hired and worked hard with the signing of this guy… This is a huge acquisition for our team.”
 
Johnson will have to get used to a new town and school, but as far as football goes, he should find familiarity in UAM’s offense.
 
UAB’s quarterback, Joe Webb, was a dual-threat player that racked up 2,367 passing yards in 2008, while also leading the team on the ground with 1,021 rushing yards, an average of just over 85 yards per game.
 
Johnson will not have to look far to find that type of player, as UAM’s returning quarterback and 2008 Gulf South Conference Player of the Year, Scott Buisson, had similar numbers last season. Buisson passed for 2,700 yards and rushed for 1,319 yards, which averaged out to a GSC-best average of 120 yards per game.
 
“I like that (UAM) spreads the field and gets the ball to a lot of different receivers,” said Johnson in an interview with the Pine Bluff Commercial. “Plus, you can’t go wrong with somebody like (Buisson) throwing you the ball.”
 
The Boll Weevils are set to open the 2009 season against Tarleton State on Thursday, August 27 in Stephenville, Texas.