| Full name | William Drew Johnson | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | May 29, 1984 | ||
| Place of birth | Tustin, California | ||
| Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||
| Weight | 123 kilograms (19 st 5 lb) | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Prop | ||
| Amateur clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | ||
| 2007–2008 2008–2010 |
Olympic Club Oxford University RFC |
||
| Professional / senior clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2010–2011 | London Irish | 3 | |
| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2009– | United States | 4 | 0 |
| correct as of 18 November 2010. | |||
William Drew "Will" Johnson (born May 29, 1984) is an American rugby union player who played prop most recently for London Irish and the United States.
Johnson was selected to tour with the USA Eagles for the Autumn 2010 tour of Europe. Johnson's first cap for the USA was on his 25th birthday in 2009 against Ireland and now-teammate Bob Casey. He received notoriety in British press for his second cap against Wales; he collided with and concussed Welsh captain, Ryan Jones, on the opening kickoff ending the latter's Lion's tour.[1]
A December, 2009 New York Times article details Will Johnson's late and interesting introduction to rugby.[2] He played his first-ever match in January 2007 for San Francisco's Olympic Club; he had picked up rugby on a 'lark' following NFL camps with the Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots. Will was an All-American offensive lineman at Harvard University[3]
Showing early promise, Johnson was invited to consider graduate study at University of Oxford. In 2008 he matriculated at Pembroke College to read a two-year master's in economics and play for the Dark Blue. Following his second season at Oxford, Johnson was invited on trial and offered a contract by London Irish for the 2010-2011 season.