Wide receiver Darius Johnson, pictured above, and running back Zach Line were recently named a “Player to Watch” by the Club of Columbus. (Michael Danser/The Daily Campus)

Humbled. Honored. These were some feelings conveyed by junior Zach Line after being honored by the Touchdown Club of Columbus last weekend in Columbus, Ohio.

Line and junior Darius Johnson were named “Players To Watch” at the 57th Annual Touchdown Club of Columbus Awards Banquet.

Players from Ohio State, Michigan State, Georgia, Pittsburgh and Sam Houston State were also named to the “Players to Watch.”

Both players were named to the All Conference Conference-USA First Team last season.

Johnson was a first time honoree at the banquet.

Johnson’s 1,118 yards led the team in receiving last year. That was good enough for third in Conference USA. Johnson averaged 14.2 yards per catch, and had eight touchdowns. He played in all but one game last year and came up big when it mattered most.

“In big games, big players step up and make plays. Darius has done that every time we have been on national TV. When the game gets bigger, he gets better,” Head Coach June Jones said.

In the upset over TCU, Johnson had 12 catches for 152 yards. He also had two touchdowns that game.

That would be his best game of the year. In the BBVA Compass Bowl against The University of Pittsburgh, Johnson had seven catches from 120 yards and a touchdown.

That performance got Johnson bowl MVP honors for the second straight year. The Missouri City, Texas native has gotten better and better every year, and will no doubt look to improve this year.

This was Line’s second consecutive year to be named a “Player to Watch.” Line was 25th in the nation and first in Conference USA in rushing, picking up 1,224 yard. Line averaged 5.9 yards per carry and 122.4 yards per game. He also picked up a conference leading 17 touchdowns.

The 17 touchdowns were only two short of the all time single season school record. Line only played in 10 games last year, missing the last three games with a torn tendon in his toe.

Line had a school record five touchdowns in a game against Northwestern State in September.

Line is approaching a number of career records at SMU. He currently ranks third in touchdowns with 34.

Line has 2,907 career yards in three seasons. Line ran for more than 100 yards in eight of his 10 games last season.

Assistant Head Coach Dan Morrison said that Line is more than just a great football player, he is a leader on the team.

“He’s a leader… He’s there every day. The guys trust him. They know he’s going to do things right and go 100 percent and be there. He’s one of those kinds of leaders,” Morrison said.

In addition to his returning teammates, Line will see another familiar face on the field: his younger brother Prescott chose to play at SMU on Signing Day.

And what’s next for Zach Line?

“I’m just going to ride the wave and see where it takes me,” he said.

Mustang football will begin their 2012 to 2013 season on Sept. 1 at Baylor.