7  Rio Johnson
	Class: Senior Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. High School: Sandy Creek Height / Weight: 6-2 / 203 Position: Quarterback Experience: 1L

Career Statistics

One of four candidates who will vie for the Pirates' starting quarterback job in 2012 ... Arguably has the most recent game-day experience after serving as record-setting Dominique Davis' top understudy as a sophomore ... In addition to a strong throwing arm, coaching staff also cites pocket presence, field awareness and developing maturity as three other strong assets ... Opened the spring completing six-of-nine passes for 38 yards in the first scrimmage (March 31) ... Followed up with a nine-of-19 effort (56 yards), while directing the offense to a unit-high four first downs in the second game April 7 ... Concluded the spring session with a game-best 153 yards on 17-of-23 passing during the Purple-Gold Game (April 14) ... Generated 11 first downs and led squad to a pair of scores in five possessions ... An "iron" level performer during the strength and conditioning testing period, turning in notable marks in the vertical leap (35"), broad jump (9'4.2) and the three-cone drill (7.16).

2011 Game-by-Game Statistics
2011: Appeared in four games - Houston, Memphis, Tulane and Southern Miss - as Davis' top backup ... Completed 20-of-29 passes (69.0 percent) for 157 yards ... Ended the campaign converting 10 of final 11 throws for 72 yards ... Improved passing numbers later in drives, going six-of-12 on first down, eight-of-11 on second down and a perfect six-of-six in third-down situations ... All six completions on third down were converted into first downs ... Tossed one interception, at Houston in ECU debut ... Carried the ball seven times, all against the Cougars, for a net of -31 yards ... Rushing yardage hindered by taking six sacks for a loss of 41 yards at UH ... Threw for a career second-best 47 yards (five-of-six passing) versus Southern Miss during fourth-quarter action ... Tossed a personal-long 17-yard pass to Andrew Bodenheimer versus the Golden Eagles ... In fourth-quarter appearances at Memphis and versus Tulane, completed only pass attempts for nine (Dayon Arrington) and seven yards (Torian Richardson), respectively ... Hooked up with Lance Lewis on a six-yard pass at Houston for career's first completion ... Tallied a personal-best 11-yard rush on a second-and-15 play in the third quarter versus the Cougars ... Completed six-of-eight passes (75 percent) on second down at UH ... Opened fall as a projected third-team choice, but strong performance during preseason camp warranted promotion to top reserve status.

2010: Did not appear in any games during first season on active roster ... Served as the third-string quarterback behind Davis and Brad Wornick.

2009: Redshirted during initial season in Pirate program ... Officially signed in February.

High School: Played vital role in leading Patriots to a regional championship in 2008 ... Completed 128-of-208 (61.5 percent) passes for 1,770 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior for coach Chip Walker ... Possessed an interception percentage of just 1.44 (three in 208 attempts) ... Passed for 1,810 yards and 14 scores during junior campaign in 2007 ... Completed 122-of-220 passes and suffered just five interceptions ... Earned a total of three varsity letters and served as team captain as a senior ... Named among the Atlanta Journal Constitution's Top 150 prospects in the state of Georgia ... A first-team all-state selection in 2008 ... An Honor Roll performer in the classroom.

Personal: Full name is Rio Arman Johnson ... Born August 19, 1991 at Atlanta, Ga. ... Son of Tony Johnson and Kala Gates ... Majoring in communications ... Godfather is former Buffalo Bills' cornerback Nate Odoms.