Ole Miss defensive end Cedric Johnson named Chucky Mullins Courage Award Winner
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss defensive end Cedric Johnson has been honored as this year’s recipient of the Chucky Mullins Courage Award, the team announced on Thursday.
Cedric is the 33rd recipient of the prestigious award, and he will wear a No. 38 patch throughout the 2023 season.
Introducing your 2023 Chucky Mullins Courage Award Winner!@Cedric02_ | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/eEEd9RBkWP
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) August 17, 2023
The Chucky Mullins Courage Award is awarded annually by the Ole Miss coaching staff to the defensive player who most embodies the courage and character of the late Chucky Mullins, who was paralyzed and later died from an injury sustained against Vanderbilt on Oct. 28, 1989.
Johnson was selected from among several veteran defensive players by Kiffin and the Rebel coaching staff. The award is presented to an Ole Miss upperclassman defensive player that embodies the spirit of Mullins – courage, leadership, perseverance and determination.
“It means a lot to me, to say the least. I honestly can’t even explain how I’m feeling right now. It’s an honor to be chosen by the coaches and the players.“
Cedric Johnson
“[Chucky] means a lot to everyone here,” Johnson continued.
“Just the spirit he carried throughout the whole building, the spirit that he spread onto everyone, just the positive energy that he put on everyone. I feel like I can do that myself, and just bring the positive energy and good spirit to everyone that I touch.“
Cedric Johnson on Chucky Mullins
Johnson, a Mobile, Alabama native, enters 2023 as the Rebels’ active career leader in sacks with 13.5. For this coming season he’s been named preseason First Team All-SEC by Phil Steele, Third Team by Athlon, and Third Team by Lindy’s.
He was also honored earlier this week by being named to the Bednarik Award Preseason watch list. That award honors the nation’s top defensive player.
Johnson represented Ole Miss in both 2022 and 2023 as a representative for the program at SEC Media Days.
In 2022 as a junior, Johnson played in 11 games, starting eight at defensive end. He finished the season with 32 total tackles, 4.0 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss. He also blocked a punt against Georgia Tech, becoming the first Rebel since 2012 to block a punt and record a sack in the same game.
As a sophomore in 2021, Johnson appeared in all 13 games and started 11 at defensive end. He notched 33 total tackles, including eight tackles for loss, and finished the season ranked second on the team with 6.5 sacks. He was also third on the squad with seven quarterback hurries.
Cedric Johnson is having himself a day for Ole Miss! pic.twitter.com/BYluZXHaPa
— College Football Network (@CFN365) October 22, 2022
In 2020, Johnson appeared in all 10 games of the COVID-shortened season as both a reserve linebacker and on special teams.
Former Chucky Mullins Courage Award recipients are Chris Mitchell, Jeff Carter, Trea Southerland, Johnny Dixon, Alundis Brice, Michael Lowery, Derek Jones, Nate Wayne, Gary Thigpen, Heard, Anthony Magee, Kevin Thomas, Lanier Goethie, Jamil Northcutt, Eric Oliver, Kelvin Robinson, Patrick Willis, Jeremy Garrett, Jamarca Sanford, Marcus Tillman, Kentrell Lockett, Deterrian Shackelford (twice), Jason Jones, Mike Marry, Mike Hilton, John Youngblood, Marquis Haynes, C.J. Moore, Austrian Robinson, Jaylon Jones, Keidron Smith and KD Hill.
Congrats to Cedric on this much-deserved honor!
Ole Miss kicks off the 2023 season on September 2 at Vaught-Hemingway against Mercer.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn’s love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
