By Tom Daniels

In 2005 Suwannee High had one of the highest rated defensive backs in the nation. Bruce Johnson was recruited by Auburn, Clemson and Miami. He choose Miami for many reasons. His uncle Kelly Jennings a Suwannee graduate went to Miami and was a round 1 choice of the Seattle Seahawks. Miami was a little different then, they were winning at an alarming rate and turning out professional football players. Since 1986 Miami has turned out 33 first round choices, the last one last year, Kenny Phillips (N.Y. Giants). That is where our story leads.

As I watched the NFL draft I waited for Bruce’s name to be called. After all, he was rated the 25th best cornerback in all of college football. I remember hearing Reggie McGrew being drafted and thinking great for Mayo. A few years later I hear Alex Brown from Jasper. Then I hear Andra Davis’s name called and I kind of puffed up, that’s one of us. Then there was Kelly and we were big time. I was sure Bruce was going, after all Jackie and Lonnie Ford assured me, somewhere between the 4th and 7th round.

I was disappointed but not as much as Bruce, but this cloud has a silver lining. Bruce gets signed as a free agent by my team, the N.Y. Giants and joins ex-teammate Kenny Phillips. From time to time these pro greats stop by to say hello. I am waiting for Bruce and rooting for Bruce. The Giants drafted two defensive backs in the 6th and 7th rounds so they are looking for some depth. I hope Bruce provides it because I have an empty autograph ball waiting to get filled up in New York.