December 20, 2002

FURMAN¹S RODNEY JOHNSON NAMED
TO NACDA I-AA ALL-STAR TEAM

CLEVELAND, OHIO -- Furman senior cornerback Rodney Johnson has been named to the Division I-AA Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team, it was announced today in conjunction with the I-AA football championship game in Chattanooga, Tenn.

A three-year starter, Johnson, who carries a 3.54 grade point average in health and exercise science, was one of 43 players named to the team from among 115 nominees. He was earlier named to the prestigious Verizon Academic All-America team.

The Marion, N.C., product served as a team captain and registered 34 tackles, six interceptions, and nine pass deflections this year in helping Furman to an 8-4 record and fourth consecutive NCAA I-AA playoff appearance. His six pickoffs ranked second in conference.

As a starter he helped Furman claim two league championships (1999 & Œ01) and finish as NCAA I-AA runnerup in 2001 with a 12-3 record, thereby helping the Paladins forge a 38-13 record over the last four seasons. Johnson completed his career with 137 tackles and 10 interceptions, good for 11th place on Furman¹s all-time interceptions chart.