Coveted Key West DL Josh Johnson joined the CanesInSight Podcast to discuss his recruitment. A transcript of the discussion is below:
CanesInSight: You were just in Miami for the 305 Day event. You’ve been on campus a few times before, but this visit seemed a little different. How was it?
Josh Johnson: I’m doing great—thanks for having me on. I had a great time yesterday at the 305 Day event. It was really special. I don’t think any other school does what we got to do there.
It was great meeting all the coaches, seeing the whole staff, and just feeling the energy of the program. It was awesome to be there. I brought my mom and my dad up with me, so we all had a great time. I love being around the coaching staff, and it was just a great experience overall.
CanesInSight: You’ve been on campus before, but you also had the chance to go over to Coach Cristobal’s house last night. What was that experience like?
Josh Johnson: That kind of showed me the culture of Miami and how the program is more like a family. It’s not just, “You’re a player here.” Coach really made us feel welcomed at his event. We had a great time.
CanesInSight: Talk about your athletic background. Obviously football is what you’re being recruited for, but you’ve also done track, baseball, and other sports growing up.
Josh Johnson: I actually didn’t start playing football until seventh grade because my mom wanted me to avoid injuries when I was younger. So I played soccer all throughout my youth.
When you see me kicking off sometimes, that’s the soccer background coming out. I played soccer through elementary school and a little bit of middle school. I also played baseball and was a big baseball guy, but after my freshman year I decided to drop it so I could focus on football and make sure my main thing was the main thing.
I also did swimming when I was younger. Being from Key West, you kind of have to know how to swim.
CanesInSight: We’ve watched your highlights on the show, and it’s not just that you kick—you’re often the first one down there making the tackle too. It’s cool hearing about that multi-sport background.
Now talking about Miami, you mentioned before that your uncle went there and that you grew up around the program. What does it mean to now be recruited by them?
Josh Johnson: Miami has always been really special to me. My uncle went there, and growing up in Key West pretty much everyone is a Miami fan. I was a Miami fan too.
We’ve been going to a Miami game every year since I was a little kid. So getting that offer was super special. The recruiting process can be stressful at times, but Miami is definitely a great spot and I could definitely see myself playing there.
CanesInSight: Being from Key West, your family would be able to get to games pretty easily if you chose Miami. What would that mean to you?
Josh Johnson: That would definitely be really special. We’ve already been going to games since I was little, and if I played there they’d have a reason to go to every single one.
It’s only about a three-hour drive to Hard Rock Stadium from where we live, which really isn’t bad at all. That’s a lot easier than paying a couple hundred dollars for flights somewhere else.
CanesInSight: You had a chance to spend time with the defensive line coaches—Jason Taylor and Damione Lewis. What was that like?
Josh Johnson: Yesterday was my first time really meeting with them in person. Obviously Jason Taylor is one of the best to ever do it, and Damione Lewis was also a fantastic player at the highest level. It’s kind of surreal.
Their message to me was that I could play multiple spots on the defensive line. I also talked to Coach Hetherman, and he asked me what position I want to play. Honestly, I don’t really care as long as it’s defensive line. If that’s five-tech or three-tech, I’m happy either way. I just want to play defensive line and make an impact.
CanesInSight: You’re listed around 270 pounds. Is that still accurate?
Josh Johnson: Last night when I got measured I was 264—but that was before I ate like five burgers. So after that I was probably closer to 270.
CanesInSight: There was also a big moment during the event when Nick Lennear committed. What was the atmosphere like for that?
Josh Johnson: It was awesome. Seeing him commit was really cool. I’ve actually played against him—we played Miami Northwestern.
Watching him play, I kind of had a feeling it might happen. After every play he’d have the Miami gloves on and he was throwing up the U after touchdowns. When he grabbed the mic, I was like, “Oh, he’s committing.”
CanesInSight: What’s next for you in the recruiting process? Any other visits coming up?
Josh Johnson: Right now we’re actually heading to Gainesville to visit the University of Florida. After that we’re going to take a little break.
I’m definitely coming back for Miami spring practices. We already have some dates planned—April 5th I think—and I’ll probably come up by myself for a couple practices just to get a better feel for the program.
I want to fall in love with the program, and then from there I’ll make my decision.
CanesInSight: Safe travels back home, Josh. Appreciate you joining us.
Josh Johnson: Yes sir, thank you for having me.
CanesInSight: You were just in Miami for the 305 Day event. You’ve been on campus a few times before, but this visit seemed a little different. How was it?
Josh Johnson: I’m doing great—thanks for having me on. I had a great time yesterday at the 305 Day event. It was really special. I don’t think any other school does what we got to do there.
It was great meeting all the coaches, seeing the whole staff, and just feeling the energy of the program. It was awesome to be there. I brought my mom and my dad up with me, so we all had a great time. I love being around the coaching staff, and it was just a great experience overall.
CanesInSight: You’ve been on campus before, but you also had the chance to go over to Coach Cristobal’s house last night. What was that experience like?
Josh Johnson: That kind of showed me the culture of Miami and how the program is more like a family. It’s not just, “You’re a player here.” Coach really made us feel welcomed at his event. We had a great time.
CanesInSight: Talk about your athletic background. Obviously football is what you’re being recruited for, but you’ve also done track, baseball, and other sports growing up.
Josh Johnson: I actually didn’t start playing football until seventh grade because my mom wanted me to avoid injuries when I was younger. So I played soccer all throughout my youth.
When you see me kicking off sometimes, that’s the soccer background coming out. I played soccer through elementary school and a little bit of middle school. I also played baseball and was a big baseball guy, but after my freshman year I decided to drop it so I could focus on football and make sure my main thing was the main thing.
I also did swimming when I was younger. Being from Key West, you kind of have to know how to swim.
CanesInSight: We’ve watched your highlights on the show, and it’s not just that you kick—you’re often the first one down there making the tackle too. It’s cool hearing about that multi-sport background.
Now talking about Miami, you mentioned before that your uncle went there and that you grew up around the program. What does it mean to now be recruited by them?
Josh Johnson: Miami has always been really special to me. My uncle went there, and growing up in Key West pretty much everyone is a Miami fan. I was a Miami fan too.
We’ve been going to a Miami game every year since I was a little kid. So getting that offer was super special. The recruiting process can be stressful at times, but Miami is definitely a great spot and I could definitely see myself playing there.
CanesInSight: Being from Key West, your family would be able to get to games pretty easily if you chose Miami. What would that mean to you?
Josh Johnson: That would definitely be really special. We’ve already been going to games since I was little, and if I played there they’d have a reason to go to every single one.
It’s only about a three-hour drive to Hard Rock Stadium from where we live, which really isn’t bad at all. That’s a lot easier than paying a couple hundred dollars for flights somewhere else.
CanesInSight: You had a chance to spend time with the defensive line coaches—Jason Taylor and Damione Lewis. What was that like?
Josh Johnson: Yesterday was my first time really meeting with them in person. Obviously Jason Taylor is one of the best to ever do it, and Damione Lewis was also a fantastic player at the highest level. It’s kind of surreal.
Their message to me was that I could play multiple spots on the defensive line. I also talked to Coach Hetherman, and he asked me what position I want to play. Honestly, I don’t really care as long as it’s defensive line. If that’s five-tech or three-tech, I’m happy either way. I just want to play defensive line and make an impact.
CanesInSight: You’re listed around 270 pounds. Is that still accurate?
Josh Johnson: Last night when I got measured I was 264—but that was before I ate like five burgers. So after that I was probably closer to 270.
CanesInSight: There was also a big moment during the event when Nick Lennear committed. What was the atmosphere like for that?
Josh Johnson: It was awesome. Seeing him commit was really cool. I’ve actually played against him—we played Miami Northwestern.
Watching him play, I kind of had a feeling it might happen. After every play he’d have the Miami gloves on and he was throwing up the U after touchdowns. When he grabbed the mic, I was like, “Oh, he’s committing.”
CanesInSight: What’s next for you in the recruiting process? Any other visits coming up?
Josh Johnson: Right now we’re actually heading to Gainesville to visit the University of Florida. After that we’re going to take a little break.
I’m definitely coming back for Miami spring practices. We already have some dates planned—April 5th I think—and I’ll probably come up by myself for a couple practices just to get a better feel for the program.
I want to fall in love with the program, and then from there I’ll make my decision.
CanesInSight: Safe travels back home, Josh. Appreciate you joining us.
Josh Johnson: Yes sir, thank you for having me.
