Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

7/16/2010 at 9:52am

He was a highly-sought tackle from Hoxie High, recruited by the likes of Arkansas, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Baylor. He picked the Longhorns, but as some observers put it, Derek Johnson "struggled with adjusting" to Austin.

Johnson told the Jonesboro Sun what exactly he was "struggling" with: "I recently had a little boy who was born premature and basically it's for financial reasons. I'm moving back home where my family can help."

ArkansasVarsity.com announced the news that Johnson won a hardship status from the NCAA and will be able to start the 2010 with the Arkansas State defense. Steve Roberts must be looking up to the heavenly stars, looking for the spot that Derek Johnson just fell from. It's a win-win situation. Johnson gets to take care of his family without losing a year of playing experience. Roberts gets a prized recruit. Even Texas, in case any of you were feeling sorry for them, were able to replace Johnson with Quincy Russell, anouther Four-Star DT.

Tagged: Derek Johnson, ASU, Steve Roberts, ArkansasVarsity.com, Jonesboro Sun, Quincy Russell, Arkansas State Red Wolves, Texas Longhorns