Alabama Football: Seven Crimson Tide Greats Who Were Zero-Star Recruits
By Ronald Evans
Rashad Johnson – Safety (2004-2008) – Sulligent, AL
2004 Recruit Ranking: Zero-Star (NR) – Alabama Walk-On
2008 – Permanent Team Captain
2008 – First Team All-American
2008 – SEC Defensive Player of the Year
2008 – First Team All-SEC
2008 – Mal Moore Leadership Award
2007 – Permanent Team Captain
2007 – First Team All-SEC
2007 – Bobby Johns Most Improved Defensive Back Award
2006 – “Bear” Bryant Best Non-Scholarship Player Award
No. 1 Alabama All-Time Most Interceptions in a Game (Tied)
No. 5 Alabama All-Time Interception Yards for a Season
No. 7 Alabama All-time Interception yards for a Career
What is most remarkable about Rashad Johnson’s career is by the time he was a high school senior, the full recruiting star system was active.
He was not overlooked because he did not meet the level of 4-Star recruit. He could have been rated as a 3-Star or a 2-Star. Rashad Johnson was a Zero-Star because he was unknown to the world of college recruiting. In the 247 Sports database, Harper’s high school position is listed as a shortstop.
Coming out of the small town of Sulligent, AL, Johnson was a running back for a 1-A school. He had no major college scholarship offers. Instead of playing for a Division II school, Rashad chose to walk-on at Alabama.
Rashad redshirted for Alabama football in 2004 and the only action he saw in 2005 was on special teams. During the off-season, with no apparent path to playing time as a running back, Johnson switched to defense.
In the 2006 Alabama Football season, he played in 11 games and started four games at safety. His performance earned him a scholarship. For the season he recorded 33 tackles and two forced fumbles.
During the 2007 season, Johnson started all 13 games, made 94 tackles, caused eight pass breakups and made six interceptions.
In Johnson’s 2008 senior season he was the acknowledged quarterback of the defense. He made 89 tackles, broke up 11 passes and made five interceptions. Three of those interceptions were against LSU and put Johnson in the Alabama Football Record Book, tied at No. 1 for most interceptions in a game.
The last of those three interceptions helped insure a Tide victory over LSU and a SEC West Division Championship. The particular play is extraordinary. Almost immediately after the snap, Johnson diagnosed the play and the passing route. He sprinted to the back of the end zone and was in better position to snag the slightly overthrown ball than the intended receiver.
Take a look:
Great players make great plays at the most important times. For Rashad Johnson determination, dedication, and detailed preparation took him from Sulligent, AL to Alabama football history.
Rashad Johnson has spent eight seasons in the NFL, all but the last with the Arizona Cardinals. Johnson was the 95th pick in 2009, drafted in the third round by Arizona. After seven seasons with the Cardinals, Johnson played last season with the Tennessee Titans.
Johnson has played in 114 NFL games with 58 starts. His NFL career stats are 382 tackles, 31 passes defended, 15 interceptions, three touchdowns, and two forced fumbles.
Johnson has been more than a journeyman Pro. His knowledge of the game and his leadership skills have benefited younger defensive teammates for years.
The most notoriety in his NFL career came in 2013 when he lost the tip of a finger during a game. After surgery, Johnson wanted to play the following week but the risk of infection kept him off the field.
Johnson is an NFL free-agent, yet to sign a contract for the 2017 season.
Seven players all Zero-Stars as high school recruits. Except for Rashad Johnson, they had attractive choices other than Alabama Football. How important was playing at Alabama in their paths to greatness? To a man, they have said choosing Alabama was a lifetime game-changer.
These seven men proved beyond any question that recruiting stars, from zero to five, are no predictor of achievement.