Former Arizona State Punter, Johnson signs with Blackhawks

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (May 20, 2011) -- The Inglewood Blackhawks upgraded their punting game this week when they signed former All Pac-10 punter, Jonathan Johnson who kicked for the Sun Devils in 2006 and 2007.  Johnson who was a junior college transfer saw action at punter after his transfer and was the Sun Devil PAT holder during tenure there.  Johnson greatly helped ASU’s special teams efficiency, especially as a junior when he enabled the Sun Devils to showcase the most dramatic net punting improvement in the Pac-10 Conference (30.3 in 2005 to 37.2 in 2006)  He appeared in all 26 games during the 2006 and 2007 seasons…averaged 40.3 yards on 79 career punts…forced 12 fair catches and placed 18 punts inside the 20-yard line…did not have a punt blocked during his Sun Devil career…was listed as a member of the preseason watch list for the Ray Guy Award, presented annually to the nation’s top punter.  Johnson also had short stints in NFL camps, most notably the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals.  Teaming Johnson up with NFL caliber long snapper, Richard Beas, the Blackhawks have just monopolized field position for the upcoming season.  "I'm impressed with his hang time and accuracy" stated Blackhawk running back coach, Jarvis Redwine who worked out Johnson at the Blackhawk stadium.  Were excited to have JJ on board and hopefully with us getting quality footage on him, he'll have another shot on making an NFL roster.