Johnson Named Jay McGillis Scholarship Recipient

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Boston College senior defensive back John Johnson was named the recipient of the Jay McGillis Memorial Scholarship at the annual spring game, also named in honor of the former BC student-athlete. McGillis' family was on hand before the game to present Johnson with the award.

The award is given annually since 1993 to a Boston College defensive back who best exemplifies the personal qualities of team dedication and leadership by example, an extraordinary competitive spirit, and personal concern for family friends and teammates. McGillis, a starting defensive back for Boston College, passed away from Leukemia in 1992. The Eagles' spring game is played in his honor each year.

"It's an honor to represent the McGillis family," Johnson said. "I know Jay was a great guy, he's a good BC guy and a great example for all of us to follow. I want to do his family proud. I know the recipients before me – Dominique Williams, Justin Simmons, Teddy Davenport – they're all great role models and Jay McGillis would be proud of them so I want to follow in their footsteps."

Johnson, a 6-foot, 198-pound, West Hyattsville, Md., native, has made 14 career starts for BC in his collegiate career and played in 32 games. He was the Eagles' starting safety in every game of the 2015 season, totaling 63 tackles, fourth-most on the team. He also forced two fumbles, made three interceptions and broke up three passes. He set a career high with 11 tackles, including eight solo stops, and blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown at Louisville on Oct. 24. He also tallied seven tackles and an interception in the end zone against Virginia Tech in Alumni Stadium on Oct. 31. In his junior year, he played in eight games making two starts before an arm injury sidelined him for the final five regular-season games. Johnson returned for the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.

Jay McGillis Scholarship Recipients
1993, Eric Shorter
1994, Eric Shorter
1995, Rob Clifford
1996, Daryl Porter
1997, Shalom Tolefree
1998, Pedro Cirino
1999, Pedro Cirino
2000, Jonathan Ordway
2001, Lenny Walls
2002, Doug Bessette
2003, Paul Cook
2004, T.J. Stancil
2005, Jazzmen Williams
2006, Ryan Glasper
2007, Jamie Silva
2008, Paul Anderson
2009, Wes Davis
2010, DeLeon Gause
2011, Donnie Fletcher
2012, Jim Noel
2013, Ted Davenport
2014, Dominique Williams
2015, Justin Simmons
2016, John Johnson

Johnson Named Jay McGillis Scholarship Recipient

Players Mentioned

John Johnson

Justin Simmons

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