Marquis Johnson – Cornerback – Alabama
Height: 5-10¾ | Weight: 192 | 40-Time: 4.65
OUTLOOK: Senior defensive back Marquis Johnson will again be an integral part of the Alabama secondary … saw significant playing time in 2008, especially in the nickel and dime formations … has played in 36 career games, making three starts with 60 tackles, two interceptions, six pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
2008 (JUNIOR): Marquis Johnson stepped up his play as a junior and served as Alabama’s third cornerback in nickel and dime defensive packages … added strength and speed helped him move up the depth chart … played in all 14 games with three starts against Western Kentucky, Florida in the SEC Championship Game and Utah in the Allstate Sugar Bowl … recorded 49 tackles on the year, which ranked sixth on the team … had two interceptions, a tackle for loss (-4) and five pass breakups in 2008. Clemson: Johnson snared his first career interception off a tipped pass and returned it seven yards … was second on the team with five total tackles, including four solo stops. Tulane: He made two solo tackles in the Tide’s 20-6 win over the Green Wave and also recorded a pass breakup. Western Kentucky: Johnson made one solo tackle in his first start of his career against the Hilltoppers … the one tackle was a TFL for minus-4 yards. Arkansas: He was a regular for the Crimson Tide who played a lot of nickel and dime defense against Arkansas’ spread passing attack … logged five tackles, including three solo tackles … intercepted his second pass of the season on the Razorbacks first play of the second half, setting up Glen Coffee’s 31-yard touchdown run two plays later. Georgia: Johnson registered three solo tackles and broke up a pass in the Crimson Tide’s 41-30 win at No. 3 Georgia. Kentucky: He made four tackles – three solo – while forcing the Wildcats into 22 incompletions. Mississippi: Johnson notched three tackles, including one solo stop in the Tide’s 24-20 win over Mississippi. Tennessee: He made one assisted tackle and broke up a Nick Stephens’ pass in a 29-9 win over the Volunteers. Arkansas State: Johnson made one solo tackle in a 35-0 win over the Red Wolves … aided a defense that surrendered just 67 yards passing and 158 total yards. LSU: He made a career-high six tackles against LSU in the Tide’s 27-21 overtime win in Death Valley … helped an Alabama secondary that intercepted four passes and broke up four more passes. Mississippi State: Johnson was third on the team with five tackles against the Bulldogs … has a combined 11 tackles against LSU and MSU … also broke up a Tyson Lee pass as the Tide defense surrendered just 167 total yards. Auburn: He did not have a tackle but did break up a pass and record a quarterback hurry … helped the Tide hold the Tigers to just 113 yards passing and 170 total yards. Florida: Johnson made four tackles … made his second career start with the Tide opening in a nickel formation against the Gators’ spread offense. Sugar Bowl vs. Utah: He started his second straight game and third of the season, making a team-high and career-best nine tackles in the Sugar Bowl, including seven solo stops.
2007 (SOPHOMORE): Played in nine games as a back-up in the secondary … had four tackles, one pass breakup and a fumble recovery on the season … earned the fumble recovery in the third quarter of the Houston game … recorded tackles against Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Georgia and Florida State and had a pass breakup against the Seminoles.
2006 (FRESHMAN): Appeared in all 13 games and logged 183 snaps … played 10 or more snaps in all 13 games … had two tackles against Duke and Tennessee … finished the season with seven tackles to his credit.
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Played for Booker High School, leading his team to a 13-2 record … as a senior, had five interceptions, 15 pass breakups and 39 solo tackles … also returned punts, averaging 37.6 yards per return … named All-State as a cornerback and punt returner … selected to play in the Florida Bowl … was a three-sport star, playing on a state-champion basketball team in addition to competing in the triple jump in the Florida state track & field championships … full name is Marquis Adrian Johnson … born May 18, 1988.