Blue and Gold Illustrated

Dec 5, 2020

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1313320

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 43 of 55

44 DEC. 5, 2020 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED Less than 48 hours after receiving an offer from Notre Dame, Merrill- ville (Ind.) High class of 2021 corner- back JoJo Johnson committed to the Fighting Irish. "The reasons I committed to Notre Dame are my great relation- ship with Coach [Mike] Mickens, the football program and the excel- lent academics," Johnson told Blue & Gold Illustrated. The 5-11, 170-pound Rivals three- star prospect earned an offer from the Fighting Irish Nov. 22 during a Zoom call with Notre Dame recruit- ing coordinator Brian Polian and Mickens, the cornerbacks coach. Johnson was committed to Cincin- nati from May to October and had a relationship with Mickens while the Irish cornerbacks coach was on staff with the Bearcats. Johnson noted that he remained in some contact with Mickens during the past few months, but communication ramped up recently. "About two weeks ago they started showing a lot of interest," Johnson explained. "Coach Mickens was tex- ting me a lot and telling me about their program, and I got on the phone with Coach Polian [on Nov. 17]." Johnson has been able to visit Notre Dame on a couple of occasions, including the 2019 Irish Invasion camp and for the home win against Virginia last fall. "I really love the academic part of it and what it would do for you after football," Johnson added. "They're a great football program and have great coaches on staff." Iowa, Michigan State and Purdue were heavily involved in Johnson's recruitment before he picked the Fighting Irish. He plans to sign with Notre Dame in December and enroll early. Johnson is Notre Dame's fifth de- fensive back commitment in the 2021 class. Three are listed as cornerbacks by Rivals — Valrico (Fla.) Blooming- dale's Philip Riley, Gaithersburg (Md.) Quince Orchard's Ryan Barnes and Encino (Calif.) Crespi's Chance Tucker — while Bolingbrook (Ill.) High's Justin Walters will play safety. "They like me at corner right now," Johnson said. "They could have me returning punts too and using me all around." This past season, Johnson tallied 44 receptions for 810 yards and nine touchdowns, while also adding 152 yards and three touchdowns on 11 rushing attempts. A two-way player throughout his high school career at Merrillville, Johnson was named the Duneland Conference's Offensive Player of the Year this fall for a Pirates team that finished 10-2 on the season. He led his squad to the 6A Indiana state playoff semifinals before falling 41-23 against Westfield (Ind.) High. — Mike Singer COMMITMENT PROFILE JOJO JOHNSON FILM ANALYSIS "College coaches are enamored with height at the cornerback position, but height doesn't do a lick of good if you don't have the fluidity to flip your hips and the top-end speed to stay with elite receivers. Johnson has that fluidity and speed, but it was the playmaking ability he showed as a senior that I believe ignited the late interest in him this fall. "You need a certain attitude and mentality to play cornerback at the highest level, and Johnson proved he possesses that playmaker gene. Iowa, Michigan State and Purdue all made him a priority down the stretch, and all wanted him badly. Johnson is not going to make or break this class, but he certainly strengthens it." — Rivals Midwest recruiting analyst Josh Helmholdt "I really love the academic part of it and what it would do for you after football. They're a great football program and have great coaches on staff." JOHNSON Johnson, a class of 2021 cornerback at Merrillville (Ind.) High and a Rivals three-star recruit, committed to Notre Dame less than two days after receiving his offer. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM Irish Land Quick Commitment From In-State Corner

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Blue and Gold Illustrated - Dec 5, 2020