BC Wide Receiver Taji Johnson Earns Preseason Nomination

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We are now 43 days away from the start of the college football season. From now until that first Saturday, you will be hearing and reading about players being named to preseason watch lists or being nominated for an award. Some of these awards are for football only. While others involve playing the game and what is done off the field. The AFCA Good Works Team is one such group. For the second year in a row, Taji Johnson, wide receiver of the Boston College Eagles, has been nominated to be a part of this team.

Johnson is one of 136 student-athletes who have made the first grade. In the end, that number will be whittled down to 23 athletes and one honorary coach. The breakdown goes as follows: 11 from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, 11 from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III, and NAIA as well as the coach. This team is considered to be one that players who played the game of college football strived to be a part of. This group and what it stands for was established back in 1992.

This is also an award that fans have a say in. Once the final selections are made, fans across college football will have a chance to vote for this year’s Team Captain on ESPN.com/allstate, as well as join the conversion on social media platforms. It is really a great way to show appreciation for what these players do both on and off the gridiron. The voting for this group is done by former members of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team which are current and former head coaches as well as members of the media. What they are looking for is exceptional leadership on and off the field.

This brings us to Mr. Johnson, who is an active member on campus with the student-run Eagles For Equality group as a member of the committee. Eagles for Equality is hoping to advance BC’s diversity equality and inclusion through a variety of avenues. This includes outreach education and service. Johnson is also the president of the Black Man Initiative which gives a voice to the unheard. Since the spring semester of 2022, Johnson and his group have hosted two cookouts and basketball tournaments which have brought different groups from campus together. He is also representing BC in Washington, DC this month in the ACC Unity Week Service Trip as a participant.

On the football field a season ago for the Eagles, Taji played in all 12 games. He caught nine passes for 91 yards and zero touchdowns. Numbers he is hoping to improve upon this coming fall. However it is what Taji Johnson is doing off the field that deserves a big hand.