UM Suspends LB Eddie Johnson Indefinitely

Golden "hopeful" Johnson can play with the Canes in 2013

The dust has settled from national signing day, and Miami Hurricanes coach Al Golden disclosed some roster moves that will take effect heading into the 2013 season. Three players have switched positions, while one's status with the team is in doubt.

Golden told the Miami Herald Thursday that linebacker Eddie Johnson has been suspended indefinitely. The rising sophomore was one of the few bright spots on the Canes defense in 2012, leading the team with 7.5 tackles for loss.

Golden declined to discuss what actions put Johnson on suspension, saying only that "an accumulation of undisclosed issues" led to the suspension, in the words of the Herald. Golden said he is "hopeful" Johnson can play with the Canes in 2013.

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Johnson was suspended for the Virginia and Duke games last season for violations of team rules. At the time, Golden said of him, "I'm disappointed he's not doing the things he needs to do."

Johnson was expected to compete for a starting position alongside fellow linebackers Denzel Perryman and Jimmy Gaines. In 2012, Johnson was fourth on the team with 59 tackles. He also made one sack, forced three fumbles, and intercepted one pass.

Golden has occasionally highlighted the struggle to instill a more accountable team culture at UM. In November, he said, "You can't hand down (poor decision-making) as acceptable to the next generation of Miami Hurricanes. You just can't."

The loss of linebackers Ramon Buchanan to graduation and Gionni Paul (who left the team for undisclosed reasons in January) makes Johnson's suspension all the more serious to the Canes' defense. Of players returning in 2013, only Perryman and DL Shayon Green had more tackles in 2012.

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Golden also told the Herald that three players are changing position. Tight ends Dyron Dye and David Perry will move to defensive end, a position with little depth at the moment. Dye started his UM career at end, and the emergence of TEs Clive Walford and Asante Cleveland last season (along with the addition of incoming freshman Standish Dobard and junior college transfer Beau Sandland) freed him up to switch back.

Additionally, defensive end Jake O’Donnell will move to tight end. O'Donnell was a redshirt freshman last season.

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