Mel Kiper - Sleeper of the Week: Chad Johnson

Mel Kiper's archive: Sleepers of the Week

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Friday, November 3

Sleeper of the Week: Chad Johnson

Editor's Note: Each week Mel Kiper Jr. will highlight one of the intriguing "sleeper" prospects available for the 2001 NFL Draft.

CHAD JOHNSON -- WR -- OREGON ST.

Normally each week, I highlight a top small college prospect who is doing his damage against a lower level of competition, yet still has an opportunity to move on to the NFL and compete for a job. This time, though, I'm bringing to your attention a major college performer from the Pac-10 who was relatively unknown when the season began.

There are usually a few under-publicized major-college standouts who just don't receive the type of national attention they deserve. That's why, at this stage of the evaluation process, I wanted to highlight a player with the skill level of Chad Johnson.

I've talked about this young man in the News and Notes section in prior weeks, attempting to point out a rising star who has been a key performer this season for the bowl-bound Beavers.

The reason Johnson qualifies as a major-college sleeper is the fact that he didn't step on the field with OSU until early August. Johnson began his college career at Langston, before spending three seasons at Santa Monica College, where he hauled in 63 receptions in 1999. At the prep level at Miami Beach High School, Johnson totaled 118 career receptions, averaging 26.4 yards per catch.

The cousin of Tennessee Titan CB Samari Rolle, Johnson opened the 2000 campaign as a starting wide-out with the Beavers, but needed some time to work on the nuances of playing the WR position in the Pac-10. Once he learned to control his blistering speed and pay attention to detail from a route-running standpoint, Johnson began to give Pac-10 cornerbacks fits. Through eight games, the physically gifted 6'2" - 200 pounder has totaled 21 catches for a 22.4 yard average and five TD's.

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Once he learned to control his blistering speed and pay attention to detail, Johnson began to give Pac-10 cornerbacks fits. ”

His progress this season has been steady. In the opener against Eastern Washington, he totaled just one catch for four yards. Against New Mexico the next week, he again finished with just one reception for nine yards. However, against San Diego State on Sept. 23 is when Johnson really began to showcase future NFL ability. In that game against the Aztecs, he hauled in four receptions for 57 yards and one TD.

Over the next four games against USC, Washington, Stanford, and UCLA, Johnson would haul in one TD reception per game, with his top effort coming against UCLA when he finished with eight catches for 104 yards.

With his size, blazing speed, competitiveness and ability to deliver the game-changing play, Johnson's pro potential is definitely worth getting excited about. Learning under such an exceptional head coach like Dennis Erickson certainly has assisted Johnson in his quick development at the major-college level.

Ultimately, if he finishes strong at OSU, then comes through with solid performances at the post season all-star games as well as the combine/individual workouts, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Johnson land in the early rounds of the draft.