Johnson takes aim as all-star

"I'm hoping to get a special teams touchdown, a lot of pass deflections and at least one interception,'' said Johnson, a cornerback from Smyrna High School who will begin classes at UT on July 5, the start of the second term of summer school. "We don't know much about Kentucky, but I've played football all my life, so I think we'll figure it out pretty quick.''

Talking to Johnson, the first thing you figure out about him is that he's eager to please.

Johnson is among many Tennessee high school all-stars intent on breaking Kentucky's four-game win streak in the series when the teams meet at 6 p.m. at Papa John's Stadium in Louisville, Ky.

Johnson's enthusiasm for his upcoming career at UT is just as obvious.

Most incoming freshmen talk about starting on offense or defense immediately, but Johnson has more realistic goals and ambitions for his true freshman season.

"I want to come in and work hard and be dedicated,'' Johnson said. "The grades come first, the football second, and then I'd like to get some playing time.''

Johnson, who has run a 4.3-second 40-yard dash and a 10.4 in the 100, has his eye on the Vols' kick return duties.

Last season, he returned five kickoffs for touchdowns, and rushed for approximately 1,500 yards as a running back. On defense, he picked off five passes.

Johnson, 5-foot-9 and 182 pounds, said opponents are often thrown off by his size.

"I'm more physical than I appear,'' Johnson said. "I'm not big, but I like going against bigger guys and jam them at the line.''

UT secondary coach Larry Slade said he noticed as much during the recruiting process.

"If you're recruiting a guy who's 5-9, he'd better be special, and Marsalous is special,'' Slade said. "He's got good feet and he's very explosive.

"You're always concerned with the bigger receivers we're facing now, but he's such a competitor. When he sees those big receivers, he's going to say 'bring them on.' ''

First things first, Johnson will bring it on against Kentucky's high school all stars.