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Thursday, June 26, 2008 11:10 PM CDT
CHS' Johnson brothers getting college looks
By JG/T-C Staff
sports@jg-tc.com
Near $4-per-gallon gas prices were not that big of a deal for this college visit.
Eastern Illinois football coaches on Thursday showed their facility to Jamel and Mario Johnson, the twin brothers preparing for their senior seasons at Charleston High School.
But the Johnsons have also rated visits to Illinois and Iowa with others likely to be in line.
“It’s just a wait and see game,” Charleston coach Brian Halsey said. “Something could come from it or nothing could come from it.”
Halsey did not want to say who was offering to scholarships to one or both Johnsons yet.
Colleges can have plenty of high school prospects tour the campus and shake hands with coaches and current players, trying to make sure possible stars don’t get away too soon. Eventually, the long list of prospects is cut to those receiving scholarship offers.
At 6-foot-6, 235 pounds with speed and good hands, Jamel Johnson is obviously an athlete who stands out in a crowd of many college wannabes.
He was All-Apollo Conference last year both as a wide receiver and defensive back.
A Journal Gazette/Times-Courier All-Area basketball player and a cleanup hitter for Charleston’s Class 3A sectional baseball finalist, Jamel’s college options probably multiply.
Shortening his given name Jamario to his preferred Mario, Mario Johnson is also shorter in stature at 6-foot and 210 pounds but also played a big role in Charleston’s Class 5A Elite Eight season as a dangerous running back, hard-hitting linebacker and home run threat kick returner.
“They’re interested in both,” Halsey said of college coaches. “More Jamel now and kind of waiting to see on Jamario but he’s opened his eyes with his ability on defense and ability to return punts and kicks.”
These abilities have provided some enjoyable visits to big-time schools not only for the Johnsons but their high school coach who accompanied them on trips to Illinois and Iowa.
“It’s been really neat,” Halsey said. “I really like (Illinois) coach (Ron) Zook. When we were at Iowa we ran into (former Tuscola coach) Stan Wienke and his son (John, the quarterback who signed with the Hawkeyes). And I just like seeing Charleston Trojans getting recruited by the EIU Panthers.”
Whether Halsey someday can be hitting up the Johnsons for tickets to watch them play at any of these colleges may depend not only on performances this fall on the football field but in the classroom to meet admission standards.
“Do I think they are both major college athletes?” Halsey said. “Absolutely. But right now they have to take care of their business, and academics are a pretty strong priority. They are improving and they just have to take care of their business and get themselves in good position.
“It’s something not only with those two but others in the future with these aspirations seeing that the day you walk into high school is the day when your academic GPA begins. You can’t wait until you are a senior or you can’t wait until you are a junior. You have to buckle down as a freshman. But they are working very hard right now and I’m very proud of them.
“They would be the first to tell you that there have been so many people in this town good to them to get them to where they are now, too many to mention.”
This is not the first time some impressive college football opportunities have been dangled in front of one of Charleston’s football players.
“Brady Wesch and Cody Mason did some big-time stuff and then slipped through the cracks,” Halsey said. “Both are going to be on the roster at Southern Illinois. I’m very proud of those two and the work they’ve put in. Knowing those two they will be scholarship by Christmas.”
For now the 2007 Charleston graduates, the lineman Wesch and fullback/linebacker Mason, have been given walk-on opportunities for NCAA Football Championship Subdivision semifinalist Southern Illinois after spending a freshman year attending the school.
They join Brandon Davis and B.K. Leonard at Millikin, Nick Davis at Monmouth, Jason Murphy at Illinois College and Colin Smith, Daniel Maples and Jeremy Shores at Aurora and now 2008 graduate Drew Riley at MacMurray as former Charleston Trojans playing college football.
You don’t have to be in the Big Ten limelight – as one or both of the Johnsons may have the chance to do – to make Halsey a proud coach.
“Some others are in coaching,” Halsey said. “It’s good to see that football has an impact on their lives to one way or another. We’re blessed at Charleston High School with good kids. I love being a part of this community and a part of this with them.”
Brian Nielsen is sports editor of the Journal Gazette/Times-Courier. Contact him at bnielsen@jg-tc.com or 238-6856.
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