2022 Chaminade-Madonna (FL) 3-star DE Jamaal Johnson is one of two early Miami Hurricanes commits in the class of 2022. As a junior this past year for the Lions, Johnson tallied 49 total tackles, 12 sacks, and 1 interception in 8 games played during the 2020 season, which ended with Johnson landing on first-team All-Broward for his efforts.
“COVID did hit hard, but overall, I think I had a successful season - although of course, you can never be satisfied,” Johnson said. “I think I had a pretty good season and I’m going to try to be more dominant my senior season. There were some goals that I reached and some that I didn’t.”
The 6’2” 240-pound defensive lineman currently has Power 5 offers from Ole Miss, West Virginia, Indiana, Iowa State, and Georgia Tech among others, and Johnson is able to show off his versatility by playing many positions on the Chaminade defense.
“I like to classify myself as a versatile defensive lineman - I feel like I can play anywhere, whether it be at defensive tackle, nose tackle, or defensive end,” Johnson said.
Johnson was offered by Miami in January of 2020, later committing in July. As a resident of Hollywood, Florida, he is very familiar with the feel of the local UM program.
“What I found very intriguing about Miami was the environment,” Johnson said. “It means a lot when your hometown team offers, it’s mind-blowing. You can feel the brotherhood when you’re with the team, it’s a positive environment."
Johnson also mentioned that he is excited to get in the gym with strength and conditioning coach David Feeley at Miami and is motivated to gain muscle and speed.
“My goals for when I arrive at Miami are to get stronger and faster,” Johnson said. “Especially to get faster because something I’ve noticed is that every time you go to the next level of football, the game gets quicker. I'm going to focus on being fast off the ball because, at my size, I want to be able to move well.”
As a defensive-minded head coach, Manny Diaz has a big impact on the defensive side of the ball and will now be tasked with calling the plays for UM’s defense in 2021. With Diaz taking more control of the defense, plus the return of former D-Line coach Jess Simpson, there have been a few changes on UM’s defense going forward, but Johnson says Miami’s recruiting approach has stayed consistent.
“When coach Diaz and I are on the phone, we talk about more than football,” Johnson said. “We talk about life in general, what I want to major in, and stuff like that. Coach Diaz makes sure that the team is built on brotherhood, that everyone is playing for each other, and that they have each other’s backs.”
Jamaal is motivated by the fact that he will be joining a defensive end room that has had many great players and is motivated to bring success to the program.
“I am ready to carry on the tradition of great defensive ends. I want to be a part of that group of first-round defensive ends at ‘The U’.”
“COVID did hit hard, but overall, I think I had a successful season - although of course, you can never be satisfied,” Johnson said. “I think I had a pretty good season and I’m going to try to be more dominant my senior season. There were some goals that I reached and some that I didn’t.”
The 6’2” 240-pound defensive lineman currently has Power 5 offers from Ole Miss, West Virginia, Indiana, Iowa State, and Georgia Tech among others, and Johnson is able to show off his versatility by playing many positions on the Chaminade defense.
“I like to classify myself as a versatile defensive lineman - I feel like I can play anywhere, whether it be at defensive tackle, nose tackle, or defensive end,” Johnson said.
Johnson was offered by Miami in January of 2020, later committing in July. As a resident of Hollywood, Florida, he is very familiar with the feel of the local UM program.
“What I found very intriguing about Miami was the environment,” Johnson said. “It means a lot when your hometown team offers, it’s mind-blowing. You can feel the brotherhood when you’re with the team, it’s a positive environment."
Johnson also mentioned that he is excited to get in the gym with strength and conditioning coach David Feeley at Miami and is motivated to gain muscle and speed.
“My goals for when I arrive at Miami are to get stronger and faster,” Johnson said. “Especially to get faster because something I’ve noticed is that every time you go to the next level of football, the game gets quicker. I'm going to focus on being fast off the ball because, at my size, I want to be able to move well.”
As a defensive-minded head coach, Manny Diaz has a big impact on the defensive side of the ball and will now be tasked with calling the plays for UM’s defense in 2021. With Diaz taking more control of the defense, plus the return of former D-Line coach Jess Simpson, there have been a few changes on UM’s defense going forward, but Johnson says Miami’s recruiting approach has stayed consistent.
“When coach Diaz and I are on the phone, we talk about more than football,” Johnson said. “We talk about life in general, what I want to major in, and stuff like that. Coach Diaz makes sure that the team is built on brotherhood, that everyone is playing for each other, and that they have each other’s backs.”
Jamaal is motivated by the fact that he will be joining a defensive end room that has had many great players and is motivated to bring success to the program.
“I am ready to carry on the tradition of great defensive ends. I want to be a part of that group of first-round defensive ends at ‘The U’.”
