Name: Ron Johnson
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 240 lbs.
High school: Camden (NJ) Camden
Position: Defensive end
Class: 2016
Notes: Holds offers from Arizona State, Boston College, Kentucky, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Old Dominion, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Pitt, Rutgers, South Carolina, Syracuse, Temple, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin . . . ESPN 4-star, #11 defensive end, #73 overall . . . Rivals 4-star, #5 weakside end, #96 overall . . . Scout 3-star, #48 defensive end . . . 247 Sports 4-star, #14 weakside end, #220 overall
Strengths: Good frame to stay at defensive end . . . Plenty of room to add weight . . . Long arms . . . Uses hands well to shed blockers . . . Quick, compact swim move . . . Good awareness and nose for football . . . Enough speed and tenacity to chase down plays from backside . . . Violent hitter . . . Runs feet after contact . . . Plays with chip on his shoulder . . . Takes good angles . . . Good straight-line speed and agility . . . Fast enough to threaten the edge with speed rush
Weaknesses: Can play too high on interior . . . Needs to improve explosiveness of first step . . . Needs to diversify pass rush repertoire . . . Sometimes gets lazy with tackling technique
Projection: Defensive end. Depending on how his body develops, Johnson could play either the weakside end or strongside end position. He does not have the speed and suddenness to be a complete terror as a pass rusher, but he has enough speed to be a consistent threat and enough tenacity to finish plays with hustle. Johnson is a high-floor player who, at the very least, should be able to hold his own against the run and make some Brennen Beyer- or Craig Roh-like plays on the quarterback. There are times in his film where he crushes lead blockers, and he has a violent way about his play that makes me think he likes punishing anyone with an opposing jersey.
Reminds me of: Frank Clark. I mentioned Beyer and Roh up above as kind of Johnson's floor, but when Clark was clicking, he was very tough to deal with. Johnson is probably a little taller and his game is more developed at this point, but both guys have good frames, a good wingspan, and a nasty attitude.
Likelihood of committing to Michigan: Johnson recently named a top fifteen that included Michigan, and the Wolverines have even been reported to be in his top two schools (along with South Carolina). Johnson visited Michigan this spring with teammate Brad Hawkins, who also holds a Michigan offer. The Wolverines have as good of a shot as anyone.
Highlights:
Johnson Jr. or Kareem?
ReplyDeleteI like Kareem's game better. Khalid plays faster and appears to be more versatile.
Are both being recruited for the OLB/DE position?
Thanks
I like Ron Johnson better. I think Kareem is a little overrated.
DeleteOh, and yes, as far as I know, both are being looked at as OLB/DE players.
Deleteagreed, i think kareem looks little overrated (though he could be a player in right system - msu would prob somehow mold him into draft pick like theyve so many other similar type dudes). i just like the kid johnsons game more, think he could be a baller down the line (obviously needs to develops a bit, as all kids do). he still looks pretty raw and not fully comfortable or fluid in his movements yet but has nice skill set to potentially make things happen. i get the comparisons and a ceiling of average to slightly below average big ten starter is not bad - provided the staff hits some home runs too.
ReplyDeleteim sure harbaugh loves kids like beyer and roh and clark (though hes obviously better athlete with more upside) but he understands the need to recruit and develop legit pass rushers and athletes on the edge with serious pro potential...if edge players can consistently win 1 v 1s, particularly in obvious passing situations, it changes everything for a D. his stanford recruits were usually pretty solid at limiting the run and forcing teams into passing situations where 1-2 guys with 10 or so sacks per year could tee off...im sure thats the goal and a dude like johnson could help. hes no joey bosa or von miller but johnson should develop into a player.
i like the 2 camden prospects, theyd both be nice pickups. and i actually think hawkins from camden looks like better pure WR than the higher rated NJ dude amir mitchell
I am thinking we might get just as many NJ kids as MI kids. NJ sure produces a lot of great athletes.
ReplyDelete