‘Magical’ Johnson trying to earn spot in receiving corps

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2001 | 10:46 a.m.

He has the same name as one of the most famous basketball players in history. But UNLV freshman recruit Earvin Johnson is already bringing about comparisons with another superstar who played in his native Southern California.

"He's big and has good hands," UNLV head football coach John Robinson said Monday. "He reminds me a little of Keyshawn Johnson."

Considering Robinson coached Keyshawn to All-American status at USC, that's quite a compliment.

The 6-3, 195-pounder from tiny Cathedral High School in downtown Los Angeles -- it borders one of the entrances to Dodger Stadium near Chinatown -- was the California team MVP this past summer in the annual California-Texas Shrine All-Star Football Game.

Easily the most publicized member of UNLV's incoming group of freshmen which began two-a-day workouts on Monday, Johnson is expected to see plenty of playing time this fall for the Rebels.

"He's got a lot of natural gifts," Robinson said. "He's got the good size like Keyshawn had, is a natural runner and a natural catcher. Obviously he needs some work. But he's going to be a really good player and has the chance to be everything you'd want in a wide receiver."

Robinson isn't the only one to give Johnson high marks. He received four votes in the Long Beach Press-Telegram's annual Best in the West poll of college coaches and originally gave a non-binding verbal commitment to Georgia Tech before his senior year.

But a shakeup in the Yellow Jacket offensive coaching staff caused Johnson to reconsider his commitment. He decided to visit other schools, including nearby USC, before signing a letter of intent with UNLV last February.

"I think it turned out for the best," Johnson said. "I'm closer to home now and UNLV is a rising program."

Johnson says his goal is to leave fall camp as the Rebels' No. 3 receiver behind starters Troy Mason and Bobby Nero. He'll need to beat out sophomore Michael Johnson and junior Toby Smeltzer to do it.

"I know I'm ready to come out and practice and compete," Johnson said. "I hope I can play and contribute to the team and help them win a Mountain West Conference championship. I want to become a go-to guy for this team."

UNLV quarterback Jason Thomas recently worked out with Johnson during a trip to Southern California and liked what he saw.

"He was very impressive," the Heisman Trophy candidate said. "He catches the ball with his hands a lot. He rarely has to use his body to catch the ball, so that's impressive. And he's fast."

Johnson said it took him a while to adjust to catching passes from Thomas.

"It was cool getting to work out with Jason," he said. "I never had caught passes from a left-handed quarterback before. The ball comes in a lot different than it does from a right-hander. But I adjusted. I think we were getting a little vibe going there. I think it will help me out going into camp having played some catch with him beforehand."