| 2002: Played in all 12 games and started three games at cornerback • Made his first career start in the season-opener against Miami • Finished seventh on the team with 39 tackles, including 29 solo stops and 10 assists • Was third on the team with six pass breakups • Had a career-high seven stops, had two pass breakups and registered a 10-yard sack at Florida State • Had six tackles (four solo, two assists) vs. NC State • Posted five tackles at Arizona State and vs. Clemson • Forced a fumble and broke up two passes against the Tigers • Broke up two passes vs. Miami (Ohio) • Played an average of 40 snaps per game.
2001 • Sophomore Season
Carolina’s top reserve at cornerback • Played in every game and the Peach Bowl • Had 10 tackles, including seven solo stops and three assists • Made one of the best plays of the year when he chased down ECU kick returner Art Brown at the UNC 1-yard line and forced a fumble for a touchback, saving a touchdown • That fourth-quarter play prevented the Pirates from pulling within one point • Made two tackles at Texas and two at Virginia • Had solo tackles at Texas, FSU, NC State, ECU, Clemson, Duke and SMU.
2000 • Freshman Season
Played in all 11 games as a defensive back reserve and on special teams • Played 173 snaps, including a season-high 39 snaps at Florida State • Had five tackles and one interception which he returned 20 yards • Secured Carolina’s 13-10 victory over Maryland by picking off Shaun Hill’s pass on the Terps last possession • Broke up passes at Florida State and at Duke.
Eleanor Roosevelt High School
First-team all-state, all-county and Washington Post All-Metropolitan as a defensive back • Played cornerback, tailback and returned kicks for Coach Rick Houchens at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Md. • Missed two games as a senior because of a sprained ankle • Senior statistics included 44 tackles, four interceptions, 1,034 yards rushing on 88 attempts, and 21 receptions for 325 yards • Rushed for 14 scores and caught passes for three more • Had a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown • Led team to a 7-3 record • Also competed in track • Earned nine medals in national track competitions • Won two gold medals and top ten all-time marks in the East Coast Invitational Track Meet • Honor student.
Personal
Born Derrick Antonio Johnson on July 3, 1981 in Upper Marlboro, Md. • Has two brothers • Enjoys listening to music and relaxing • Favorite athlete is Michael Jordan • Favorite NFL team as a kid was the Cincinnati Bengals • Greatest athletic moment was forcing a fumble in the ECU game • Earliest football memory was in the 70-pound weight class division of his recreation league, when he rushed for over 100 yards and one touchdown in the County Championship game • Majoring in exercise and sports science.
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