For Johnson, It's Faith First, Football Second

"I always saw him working hard. Always," fifth-year senior Andrew Hoffman said. "He was one of the kickers that you really appreciated."

In the spring of 2002, Abrams was gone, leaving Johnson as the leading candidate for the starting job. His football dream was within reach, but Johnson had begun feeling a mission "was something that I needed to do."

He eventually met with Virginia Coach Al Groh, who expressed his support either way. And whatever you decide, Groh said, don't look back and second-guess yourself.

"I don't think he knows how much that really helped me," Johnson said.

Soon it was settled, and he was off to the airport, confident he had made the right decision.

"When he left on the plane that day, he said, 'Don't be sad. This is the greatest day of my life,' " Cyndi Johnson recalled. "He was ready to go."

Cavaliers Note: Down to four scholarship wide receivers after Fontel Mines broke his collarbone in the season opener, the Cavaliers switched All-Met freshman Bud Davis (Eleanor Roosevelt) from safety to receiver last week.

"We're just trying to find the best place for him," Groh said. "It's too early to reach any determination really as far as his long-range position."