The book on Jerrod Johnson was so incomplete back in preseason camp, that the returning starter was thrust into competition with Ryan Tannehill, who flourished as a receiver in 2008 but came to A&M as a quarterback and was going to get his shot.

Johnson won the position battle, and during a 6-5 run (3-4 Big 12) that makes the Aggies bowl eligible he won over second-year coach Mike Sherman.

"I really don't know if I've been around a player that's made the progress that he's made," Sherman said. "He's a lot more football savvy than I ever gave him credit for last year."

Credit would have been undeserved. Johnson often looked flustered last season. But he was also battered playing behind inferior blockers, a tough way to learn a position he was handed after veteran ...More