Dogs_21
04-29-2007, 04:48 PM
Johnnie Lee Higgins Utep's former WR was drafted in the 3rd Round pick #99 to the Oakland Raiders....
He is also a Sweeny Native....
Go Dogs..!!!
Possibly the fastest player in the collegiate ranks, Higgins has that blue-collar work ethic and highly competitive nature that has made him a favorite of UTEP fans and a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators.
After moving into the starting lineup as a sophomore, Higgins had at least two receptions in 31 of 36 games. Nicknamed "The Real Deal," Higgins quickly developed into a big-play threat.
The cousin of San Diego Chargers cornerback Quentin Jammer, Higgins was an honor roll student at Sweeny High School. He was named to the Texas Top-300 list by Dave Campbell's Texas Football and earned first-team all-state honors from the Associated Press as a senior. He was also selected the District 24-3A Offensive MVP, adding first-team all-district and All-Brazoria County accolades.
Higgins was also chosen the team's Offensive MVP after collecting 48 catches for 918 yards (19.1 average) and 10 touchdowns while also rushing 16 times for 113 yards (7.1 avg.) with three scores in 2001. He had a 38-yard interception for a touchdown and added a 75-yard kickoff return for a score that year. On defense, Higgins recorded 55 tackles, three interceptions and a fumble recovery.
As a junior, Higgins made 24 catches for 448 yards (18.7 avg.) and eight touchdowns. He lined up at wide receiver, cornerback and quarterback in both his junior and senior seasons, seeing playing time at cornerback and halfback as a sophomore. Higgins led Sweeny High to an 18-8 record his last two seasons, as the team captured two district titles. He lettered in basketball, earning team MVP, first-team all-district and second- team All-Brazoria recognition. He also competed in the high jump and triple jump for the Sweeny track team.
Higgins enrolled at Texas-El Paso in 2002, spending the season on the scout team while redshirting. He appeared in 13 games as a reserve receiver in 2003 but still managed to finish third on the team with 25 receptions for 362 yards (14.5 avg.), including big plays that set up three touchdown drives. He also added 32 yards and a touchdown on eight carries (4.0 avg.) and recorded one solo tackle.
In 2004, Higgins took over at flanker, earning All-Western Athletic Conference second-team honors. He ranked second in the WAC with an average of 58.3 yards per game receiving and was the team's second-leading pass catcher with 34 for 700 yards. His 10 touchdown catches ranked fourth on the school's single-season record list and his 20.6-yard average per catch ranked second. He also returned 14 kickoffs for 310 yards (22.1 avg.), recorded one solo tackle and recovered a fumble.
The Miners switched leagues in 2005, but Higgins continued to excel. He started 10 games, ranking seventh on the school's single-season record list with 1,468 all-purpose yards. He led the team with a career-high 49 receptions for 837 yards (17.1 avg.) and nine touchdowns, adding 13 yards on eight carries (1.6 avg.) and a solo tackle. He returned 18 punts for 170 yards (9.4 avg.) and 20 kickoffs for 448 yards (22.4 avg.) to garner second-team All-Conference USA accolades.
Higgins established himself among the nation's elite as a senior. The All-American and All-Conference USA first-team selection ranked tied for eighth in the nation with 6.83 catches per game, finishing second nationally with 109.92 yards receiving and third in Division I-A with an average of 156.08 all-purpose yards per game. He set the conference single-season record with a 23.4-yard average on 12 punt returns, scoring twice in the process.
Higgins caught 82 passes for 1,319 yards (16.1 avg.) and 13 touchdowns in 2006. He also had 18 kickoff returns for 275 yards (15.3 avg.), but lost 2 yards on one reverse. He scored 90 points for the season and recorded one solo tackle.
In 49 games at Texas-El Paso, Higgins started 32 times. He ranks second in UTEP annals with 190 receptions and set school career records with 3,218 yards (16.9 avg.) and 32 touchdowns. He rushed 17 times for 43 yards (2.5 avg.) and a score, adding 1,033 yards on 52 kickoff returns (19.9 avg.). He also returned 30 punts for 451 yards (15.0 avg.) and two scores. Higgins posted four solo tackles and recovered one fumble. He ranks second in school annals with 4,745 all-purpose yards.
He is also a Sweeny Native....
Go Dogs..!!!
Possibly the fastest player in the collegiate ranks, Higgins has that blue-collar work ethic and highly competitive nature that has made him a favorite of UTEP fans and a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators.
After moving into the starting lineup as a sophomore, Higgins had at least two receptions in 31 of 36 games. Nicknamed "The Real Deal," Higgins quickly developed into a big-play threat.
The cousin of San Diego Chargers cornerback Quentin Jammer, Higgins was an honor roll student at Sweeny High School. He was named to the Texas Top-300 list by Dave Campbell's Texas Football and earned first-team all-state honors from the Associated Press as a senior. He was also selected the District 24-3A Offensive MVP, adding first-team all-district and All-Brazoria County accolades.
Higgins was also chosen the team's Offensive MVP after collecting 48 catches for 918 yards (19.1 average) and 10 touchdowns while also rushing 16 times for 113 yards (7.1 avg.) with three scores in 2001. He had a 38-yard interception for a touchdown and added a 75-yard kickoff return for a score that year. On defense, Higgins recorded 55 tackles, three interceptions and a fumble recovery.
As a junior, Higgins made 24 catches for 448 yards (18.7 avg.) and eight touchdowns. He lined up at wide receiver, cornerback and quarterback in both his junior and senior seasons, seeing playing time at cornerback and halfback as a sophomore. Higgins led Sweeny High to an 18-8 record his last two seasons, as the team captured two district titles. He lettered in basketball, earning team MVP, first-team all-district and second- team All-Brazoria recognition. He also competed in the high jump and triple jump for the Sweeny track team.
Higgins enrolled at Texas-El Paso in 2002, spending the season on the scout team while redshirting. He appeared in 13 games as a reserve receiver in 2003 but still managed to finish third on the team with 25 receptions for 362 yards (14.5 avg.), including big plays that set up three touchdown drives. He also added 32 yards and a touchdown on eight carries (4.0 avg.) and recorded one solo tackle.
In 2004, Higgins took over at flanker, earning All-Western Athletic Conference second-team honors. He ranked second in the WAC with an average of 58.3 yards per game receiving and was the team's second-leading pass catcher with 34 for 700 yards. His 10 touchdown catches ranked fourth on the school's single-season record list and his 20.6-yard average per catch ranked second. He also returned 14 kickoffs for 310 yards (22.1 avg.), recorded one solo tackle and recovered a fumble.
The Miners switched leagues in 2005, but Higgins continued to excel. He started 10 games, ranking seventh on the school's single-season record list with 1,468 all-purpose yards. He led the team with a career-high 49 receptions for 837 yards (17.1 avg.) and nine touchdowns, adding 13 yards on eight carries (1.6 avg.) and a solo tackle. He returned 18 punts for 170 yards (9.4 avg.) and 20 kickoffs for 448 yards (22.4 avg.) to garner second-team All-Conference USA accolades.
Higgins established himself among the nation's elite as a senior. The All-American and All-Conference USA first-team selection ranked tied for eighth in the nation with 6.83 catches per game, finishing second nationally with 109.92 yards receiving and third in Division I-A with an average of 156.08 all-purpose yards per game. He set the conference single-season record with a 23.4-yard average on 12 punt returns, scoring twice in the process.
Higgins caught 82 passes for 1,319 yards (16.1 avg.) and 13 touchdowns in 2006. He also had 18 kickoff returns for 275 yards (15.3 avg.), but lost 2 yards on one reverse. He scored 90 points for the season and recorded one solo tackle.
In 49 games at Texas-El Paso, Higgins started 32 times. He ranks second in UTEP annals with 190 receptions and set school career records with 3,218 yards (16.9 avg.) and 32 touchdowns. He rushed 17 times for 43 yards (2.5 avg.) and a score, adding 1,033 yards on 52 kickoff returns (19.9 avg.). He also returned 30 punts for 451 yards (15.0 avg.) and two scores. Higgins posted four solo tackles and recovered one fumble. He ranks second in school annals with 4,745 all-purpose yards.