Bryan High head coach Marty Criswell usually has a pretty good idea of who his future stars may be long before the kids conclude their sophomore years. But even Criswell acknowledges that he didn’t have that kind of inclination regarding Brandon Johnson at that time.

In fact, Criswell didn’t even know Johnson at that time.

"He was a basketball player, and he came up to me at the end of his sophomore years and asked me if he could come out for the team," Criswell said. "I didn’t know him, but I was no fool. I took one look at his build and told him that I would somehow figure out a way for him to get a chance to play football."

Wise decision.

Johnson played well as a junior and really blossomed as a senior, earning District 16-5A Most Valuable Player honors last year. As a rush defensive end, Johnson recorded 78 tackles, including 17 sacks.

But Criswell says that Johnson is actually just beginning to understand his potential – let alone reach it.

"He’s 235 pounds now as we speak, and he really still has a basketball body," Criswell said. "He’s so quick and agile and has a tremendously explosive lower body. He can really jump.

"And once he gets around (A&M strength and conditioning coach) Mike Clark and hanging out inside Netum Steed, I think he can play at anywhere from 255 to 260 and still run a 4.6 (in the 40-yard dash). A lot of guys I’ve seen begin peaking out by the time they finish high school. But Brandon has so much upside potential."

While Johnson played rush end for the Vikings, his future at A&M will probably be as an outside linebacker. And Criswell, who obviously knows plenty about the Aggies’ Wrecking Crew tradition, believes Johnson will be a perfect fit at A&M.

"I think this kid was made to play for the Wrecking Crew," Criswell said. "He’s going to be too quick for tackles, too overpowering for backs. Once he gets going, he’s got a chance to be one of those prototypical Aggie rush linebackers, although I think he could also play at defensive end."

Johnson, the cousin of fellow 2001 A&M signee Jason Carter of Caldwell, joins a long line of Bryan High players who have chosen to stay close to home.

Perhaps the best player on A&M’s defense next year will be Bryan High defensive lineman Ty Warren. In recent years Bryan products Cameron Spikes and Mike Kazmierski have played key roles in the Aggies’ success.

"We love sending our guys to Texas A&M," Criswell said. "It’s good for the reputation and tradition of our program, and it’s also good for the kids. They get more support from a community they are familiar with already, and they don’t have to drive two hours to do their laundry.

"And in Brandon’s case, Texas A&M is definitely the right place for him. He’s a fun-loving country boy at heart. He’s not a bright-lights, big-city guy. A&M isn’t for everyone, but it’s the perfect place for Brandon."

Criswell said that as of signing day, Johnson, who had originally committed to Kentucky before A&M offered, had not yet met all of his NCAA qualifications. But he is extremely close.

"He’s closer than Ty (Warren) was at this point," Criswell said. "I mean he’s really close. He might even be qualified, because he took the test recently and we haven’t got those scores back yet. But he had a great fall semester, and I know he will get it done.

"I also know that the Texas A&M people are really going to enjoy him. I’ve never had to discipline him one time, and I’m just crazy about him."

– Rusty Burson