Feb. 3, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - With 15 players suiting up for various teams in the National Football League, UCF led all other Conference USA schools in 2008. Today, we look at former tight end Darcy Johnson of the New York Giants.
In 2006, Johnson was signed as a rookie free agent by the New York Giants on May 13th, and was then singed to the 53-man active roster on December 26th, just prior to the regular season finale. Johnson would go on to see his first career regular season action on December 30th at Washington, and the following week competed against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Game.
After suffering an ACL injury which sidelined the former Knight for the 2007 season, Johnson was able to make a full recovery and appear in all 16 games in the 2008 season, including two starts coming against the Dallas Cowboys and at Minnesota. Johnson recorded his first career reception when Eli Manning hit the former Knight for a one-yard touchdown reception against the Baltimore Ravens in week 11. In week 14, Johnson recorded his second reception on a one-yard touchdown grab against the Eagles. The regular season finale at Minnesota saw Johnson haul in two passes for 44 yards, both a career-high.
The former Palatka High School standout arrived at UCF in 2001. After redshirting that same year, Johnson appeared in all 12 games in 2002, and his first collegiate reception was a touchdown against Kent State on Nov. 16, 2002. The 2003 season saw Johnson take over the starting job and he led the team with 17 yards per reception. In his senior campaign, Johnson was third on the team in receptions, collecting 36, for 435 yards and two touchdowns. The career year earned Johnson All-Conference USA Second-Team honors.
Tomorrow, we conclude our NFL alumni update series with a look at former defensive end Rashad Jeanty of the Cincinnati Bengals.