Johnson Takes his Shot at the NFL

May 9, 2008

KINGSTON, R.I. - Former University of Rhode Island standout defensive back Ki'Ameer Johnson received his first NFL tryout last week, as he was one of over 75 players at Cleveland Browns rookie minicamp.

Johnson - who earned Second Team All-CAA honors last season - was one of 54 rookies invited to the open tryout, and the New Jersey native wasted no time flashing his skills. Lined up at cornerback - a position he rarely played at URI - Johnson jumped a pass route run by 2008 sixth-round draft pick Paul Hubbard (Wisconsin) and took the interception 70+ yards for a touchdown. Admittedly, Johnson said that no one knew him at the start of the day, but people definitely started to take notice after his pick.

Two days later, the Browns signed just seven of the 54 rookies in camp, and Johnson was not among that group. Earlier this week, however, Johnson mentioned that his agent has been in discussions with the Browns about a return tryout during minicamp in July. He also said he has been contacted by several other teams about his services.

Johnson said one of the people he was able to spend time speaking with at the tryout was Mike Adams. Also a native of New Jersey, Adams won a National Championship at CAA-rival Delaware in 2003, but like Johnson, went undrafted. Adams later received a tryout with the San Francisco 49ers, and not long after became a starter for the five-time Super Bowl Champions. Last summer, he signed a contact with the Browns.

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