The topsy-turvy 2013 season for Texas’ Daje Johnson will end on a decidedly down note.
Sunday afternoon, the Longhorns announced that the wide receiver/running back/return man is one of three players who have been declared academically ineligible and will not play in UT’s Alamo Bowl game against Oregon. Also out are offensive tackle Kennedy Estelle and tailback Jalen Overstreet.
The losses of Johnson and Estelle will serve as significant blows to Texas’ offense.
When healthy -- and staying out of trouble -- Johnson has accumulated 757 all-purpose yards in 2013 and started six games. Johnson scored three touchdowns this season -- one each rushing, receiving and on a punt return -- along with being one of the team’s top return specialists.
An ankle injury cost Johnson playing time early in the season, and a suspension for violating unspecified team rules kept him out of the Thanksgiving Day game against Texas Tech.
Replacing an injured Josh Cochran, the sophomore Estelle started the last eight games of the season at right tackle.
The redshirt freshman Overstreet ran the ball 20 times for 102 yards and two touchdowns.