Class of 2021 College Spotlight: Calvin Johnson at Georgia Tech

 

In honor of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021, we’re looking back at the collegiate careers that set the foundation for these Hall of Famers.

Next up is Calvin Johnson, the legendary Detroit Lions receiver who first put his name on the map as a member of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Calvin Johnson — Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 2004-2006

Calvin Johnson is arguably the greatest player to put on the gold and blue.

Johnson was an immediate contributor to Chan Gailey’s offense, recording 48 catches, 837 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in his first season in Atlanta. He was named ACC Rookie of the Week four times as a freshman and immediately garnered national attention. The week-by-week accolades helped Johnson earn first-team All-ACC honors as a freshman, a rare accomplishment.

This momentum carried into Johnson’s sophomore season. He caught 54 passes for 888 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games, again earning a spot on the All-ACC first team.

Johnson entered his junior season with a lot of hype, appearing on almost every preseason list for the Biletnikoff Award and Heisman Trophy. He lived up to the expectations and produced his best season, becoming one of the greatest Yellow Jackets of all time. Johnson recorded 76 catches for 1,202 yards and 15 touchdowns, production that earned him a third consecutive first-team All-ACC bid.

He was named the ACC Player of the Year and won the Biletnikoff Award, with most knowing that his junior season would be his final at Georgia Tech. Johnson was one of the most popular wide receiver prospects in over a decade, and the NFL was calling his name.

2007 NFL Draft

Johnson’s historic collegiate career in Atlanta earned him a lot of praise as he entered the NFL.

The Detroit Lions snatched Johnson with the second overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, making him the highest selection in Georgia Tech history. Johnson would play nine season in Detroit before retiring from pro football.

Calvin Johnson’s College Accolades

Georgia Tech Records

• Career Receiving Yards — 2,927
• Receiving Yards in a Season — 1,202
• Career Receiving Touchdowns — 28
• Receiving Touchdowns in a Season — 15
• Career 100-Yard Games — 13
• 100-Yard Games in a Season — 7

Awards

• 2006 Biletnikoff Award
• 2006 ACC Player of the Year
• Two-time first-team All-American
• Three-time first-team All-ACC
• 2004 ACC Rookie of the Year
• Four-time ACC Rookie of the Week

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Pro Football Hall of Fame

• Joe Guyon
• Calvin Johnson
• Billy Shaw

Attend Johnson’s Hall of Fame Enshrinement

Calvin Johnson enters the Pro Football Hall of Fame this August, and you can be there with an Official Ticket Package from Hall of Fame Experiences.

 

Attend the 2021 Enshrinement