A&M’s Johnson found safe after two-day scare

Texas A&M wide receiver Thomas Johnson has been missing since Monday. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) Texas A&M wide receiver Thomas Johnson has been missing since Monday. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close A&M’s Johnson found safe after two-day scare 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

COLLEGE STATION — One of the more surreal stories of a surreal season for Texas A&M football offered a joyful ending as freshman receiver Thomas Johnson was found safe in his hometown of Dallas early Thursday morning.

He had been missing for more than two days.

"We're pleased and relieved to find T.J.," A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said in a statement. "Our foremost concern is for the health and well-being of T.J.

"I would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and efforts in locating him."

The university's police department first requested the public's help in locating Johnson early Wednesday evening, after he'd been missing 48 hours. Johnson, who has 30 catches for 339 yards and a touchdown this season, failed to show up for Monday night's football practice and had last been seen leaving his College Station residence about 5 p.m. Monday.

Johnson's mother, Linda Hanks, offered a tearful plea on a Dallas television station on Wednesday night for any information on the whereabouts of her son.

Dallas police and even the Texas Rangers joined in the search, and Johnson was located about 2:30 a.m. Thursday near Skyline High School, where he had been one of the nation's top recruits last year.

A&M and authorities did not provide any reason why Johnson suddenly disappeared and failed to attend the Aggies' practices on Monday and Tuesday, and A&M said it would not discuss the matter any further.

The ninth-ranked Aggies, who are coming off three straight victories on a Southeastern Conference road swing, face Sam Houston State at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Kyle Field.

A&M spokesman Alan Cannon declined to address whether Johnson will suit up or even attend the Aggies' next game.

Cannon emphasized the concern for Johnson's health and well-being and added, "He's a member of our Aggie team and family, and we'll do whatever we can to help."

Johnson was coming off a solid game in the Aggies' 29-24 upset of then-top-ranked Alabama last Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

He made three catches for 22 yards for the 8-2 Aggies, who are now up to eighth in the BCS standings.

brent.zwerneman@chron.com

twitter.com/brentzwerneman