Homecoming showcase

The speed is obvious. The power is prevalent. The sky is the limit.

Since his arrival in Charlottesville, Virginia linebacker Cam Johnson has wowed teammates and forced quarterbacks into precarious situations.

It will likely continue on Saturday as Johnson returns to Maryland (2-4, 1-1 ACC) to play football in a stadium that sits just 10 minutes from his house.

Entering the season, Johnson was looked at merely as an option in special packages, but the sophomore has remained a constant as a starter at outside linebacker. It forced a rotation, in turn, between seniors Aaron Clark and Denzel Burrell on the opposite side.

To date, Johnson has 18 tackles, two of which came behind the line of scrimmage.

His progression has come through diligent work in practice.

“There is something to be learned on his part every day, even if it’s not something that’s taught in the meetings it’s something that happens on a play in practice that you couldn’t forecast, but now that it’s there, there is a good teaching moment,” Virginia coach Al Groh said. “He gets it right away. Whereas there are some players particularly those that are at a relatively new position for them, maybe you’ve got to go in and show them the video the next day and explain it to them — he gets it right there.”

There mere mention of Johnson brings a smile in quick fashion to Groh’s face, something that compares to how he responded when asked about former linebacker Ahmad Brooks.

“There is a lot more for him to be exposed to in that his season was pretty well cut short last year,” Groh said. “He’s a second-year player without the benefit of most of his first year, so we’re very well pleased with the position that he’s in right now and see significant growth potential within that — I would say on a daily basis because of his capacity to get it.”

Johnson is lacking in one regard — the former basketball standout has not recorded his first sack.

“It’s definitely frustrating,” Johnson said. “I have been going over some of the things we have been working on in practice. I have been getting right there, but haven’t been able to finish the plays.

“That is why I need to just keep working.”

Johnson is aware of Groh’s affection, but tried to downplay it.

“I don’t think I have a sixth sense. I just try and apply what Coach Groh and Coach [Bob] Trott, or any of the other coaches instruct me to do in order to win the game,” Johnson said. “I know it’s important, so I want to make sure I get it right.

“I feel that I am progressing each game, but I still have a lot to work on. The coaches and my teammates are really helping me out during the process.”

Johnson’s personality won Groh over early in the recruiting process. One particular visit to watch Johnson play basketball still stands out.

“I remember the day that Mike London and I went to the school. I walked out like, ‘Whoa!’ I loved this guy,” Groh said. “That was one of the guys who fit what we’re looking for. It wouldn’t have made any difference if nobody was interested in him. He fit what we were looking for.”

Johnson was recruited by Maryland, but the recruiting process never picked up steam.

“They were definitely in the running,” he said, “but I was leaning toward Virginia a lot.”

Extra points

Virginia tailback Mikell Simpson was officially listed as doubtful for Saturday’s contest. Simpson, the team’s leading rusher, suffered a neck injury in the third quarter against Indiana. If he is unable to play, Groh said that he was comfortable with senior Rashawn Jackson takes a majority of the reps.

It was also disclosed on the team’s injury report that wideout Javaris Brown (ankle) will not play. Offensive linemen Landon Bradley (knee) and B.J. Cabbell (ankle) are among five players listed as probable.