Michael Johnson Jr. is a 6'3" 190 Dual Threat sensation out of Sheldon High School in Eugene, Oregon. Johnson Jr. is a hybrid between a rocket and a cheetah and shows some uncanny improvisation skill on film. To date in his varsity career, he has amassed 5565 passing yards accompanied by 69 passing touchdowns. Johnson Jr. also has ran for 1878 yards and occupied pay dirt with his feet 28 times. This Miami target is clearly in the sights of quarterback coach Jon Richt who has racked up his frequent flyer mileage visiting the young man. CanesinSight will take a further look at Johnson JR on this edition's breakdown.
Footwork/Rhythm: One area where improvement is needed is in the terms of footwork. Correctable aspects are some additional hitch steps on drops and not always aligning steps two and three in the direction of his target. In a coach Mark Richt passing system timing and repeat-ability in footwork is EVERYTHING. Front stride distance is also variant and needs to be addressed. I have full confidence all things footwork are within the capability of Richt and company's ability to reign in. Rhythm: Shows some good ball out on time rhythm capability on shorter passing concepts. (In particular quick seems and screens) Would be effective in a quick passing system. Needs to mirror that ability on down the field concepts. Needs to continue and identify the pre-snap read and focus on the final step ball out concept. Some balls considered late in relation to the read. Once again very correctable within the framework of the Miami system.
Accuracy/Arm Strength/Mechanics: Nice accuracy and ball placement. Do not see many receivers short changed on completions and Johnson JR allows his receivers run after the catch ability. Some tight window completions noted on film. Deep ball has nice trajectory and outside shoulder placement when feet are set. Arm Strength is good. Would not classify Johnson Jr as a power thrower and you do not see tons of deep outs/comebacks in premise being called by the OC. Deepest ball on various film reviews noted in the 55 yard range with the capability to extend. Arm Mechanics: Some variable arm slotting unabated to pressure noted. Would classify the release medial with no exceptional long hitch idiosyncrasies. Noted some downfield three quarter releases on throws. Will drop ball and eyes early on some passing concepts in an effort to run. (often times for good reason) Overall good fundamentals passing the football with the ability to improve on fundamental repeat-abilities.
Mobility: Exceptional improvisation skill set. Johnson Jr is a zone read home run threat. A prospect who early on in his career ran a 4.6 at a camp shows game changing ability with his legs. Multiple long touchdowns on the ground game over and over again. Johnson Jr shows the ability to run various styles of QB runs and is comfortable running inside. This is a type prospect a defense MUST account for at all times in regards to his running ability. Shows the ability to throw effectively outside the pocket on roll outs and has multiple designed passing concepts to accentuate his skill set from the OC. Ultimately feel Johnson's skill set would be unique on Miami's roster and ultimately unparalleled in this area of mobility and running threat.
Roman Rank: Johnson Jr is a prospect very worthy of the praise and attention he has received from the Miami coaching staff. Even when I see him potentially "looking to run" maybe a little earlier than I would like, you have to be a simpleton to argue the intent. Yes. The flat was open but who should argue when the 50 yard plus touchdown he just reeled off changes the complexion of the game? Richt loves "in rhythm quarterbacks." You get to that third step in a three step drop that ball better be coming out. Yes. That concerns me because I see more improvisation than rhythm at times from Johnson Jr's game. But I think Richt is more than capable of tailor making an offense to accentuate Johnson Jr's game changing ability while molding him to learn the rhythm of his offense. Johnson Jr is the definition of a dual threat. He doesn't dabble loosely in the definition. He is the definition. Roman Rank 4 star
Footwork/Rhythm: One area where improvement is needed is in the terms of footwork. Correctable aspects are some additional hitch steps on drops and not always aligning steps two and three in the direction of his target. In a coach Mark Richt passing system timing and repeat-ability in footwork is EVERYTHING. Front stride distance is also variant and needs to be addressed. I have full confidence all things footwork are within the capability of Richt and company's ability to reign in. Rhythm: Shows some good ball out on time rhythm capability on shorter passing concepts. (In particular quick seems and screens) Would be effective in a quick passing system. Needs to mirror that ability on down the field concepts. Needs to continue and identify the pre-snap read and focus on the final step ball out concept. Some balls considered late in relation to the read. Once again very correctable within the framework of the Miami system.
Accuracy/Arm Strength/Mechanics: Nice accuracy and ball placement. Do not see many receivers short changed on completions and Johnson JR allows his receivers run after the catch ability. Some tight window completions noted on film. Deep ball has nice trajectory and outside shoulder placement when feet are set. Arm Strength is good. Would not classify Johnson Jr as a power thrower and you do not see tons of deep outs/comebacks in premise being called by the OC. Deepest ball on various film reviews noted in the 55 yard range with the capability to extend. Arm Mechanics: Some variable arm slotting unabated to pressure noted. Would classify the release medial with no exceptional long hitch idiosyncrasies. Noted some downfield three quarter releases on throws. Will drop ball and eyes early on some passing concepts in an effort to run. (often times for good reason) Overall good fundamentals passing the football with the ability to improve on fundamental repeat-abilities.
Mobility: Exceptional improvisation skill set. Johnson Jr is a zone read home run threat. A prospect who early on in his career ran a 4.6 at a camp shows game changing ability with his legs. Multiple long touchdowns on the ground game over and over again. Johnson Jr shows the ability to run various styles of QB runs and is comfortable running inside. This is a type prospect a defense MUST account for at all times in regards to his running ability. Shows the ability to throw effectively outside the pocket on roll outs and has multiple designed passing concepts to accentuate his skill set from the OC. Ultimately feel Johnson's skill set would be unique on Miami's roster and ultimately unparalleled in this area of mobility and running threat.
Roman Rank: Johnson Jr is a prospect very worthy of the praise and attention he has received from the Miami coaching staff. Even when I see him potentially "looking to run" maybe a little earlier than I would like, you have to be a simpleton to argue the intent. Yes. The flat was open but who should argue when the 50 yard plus touchdown he just reeled off changes the complexion of the game? Richt loves "in rhythm quarterbacks." You get to that third step in a three step drop that ball better be coming out. Yes. That concerns me because I see more improvisation than rhythm at times from Johnson Jr's game. But I think Richt is more than capable of tailor making an offense to accentuate Johnson Jr's game changing ability while molding him to learn the rhythm of his offense. Johnson Jr is the definition of a dual threat. He doesn't dabble loosely in the definition. He is the definition. Roman Rank 4 star
