June 11, 2009

Tulsa, Oklahoma - University of Tulsa receiver/kick return specialist Damaris Johnson was selected to the Phil Steele Magazine Preseason All-America Second Team as a kick returner.

Johnson, a 5'8" sophomore from Norco, Louisiana, set a school record last year with 1,319 kick return yards. He was also Tulsa and Conference USA's leader for all-purpose yardage with 2,201 yards. Johnson was Tulsa's leading pass catcher with 53 receptions and was second for receiving yardage with 743 yards. He also had a team-leading 10 receiving touchdowns.

He had 51 plays for over 50 yards in his true freshman season. Johnson earned C-USA all-freshman team honors and was a second-team all-conference selection.

Last year, Johnson set a new school single-game record for kickoff return yards with 211 yards against UTEP, while returning one kick 94 yards for a touchdown in that game. He had two 100+ receiving games, including a season-best 135 yards on six catches in a 45-13 victory over 23rd-ranked Ball State in the GMAC Bowl.

A year ago, Johnson earned Freshman All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News, Rivals.com and Phil Steele's Magazine.

Tulsa finished the 2008 campaign with a school-best 11-3 record and opens the 2009 season on Friday, Sept. 4 against Tulane in the Louisiana Superdome. The game will be televised on ESPN.