Big 15: Willie Johnson remains patient in recruiting
CORY MULL, CMULL@NEWS-PRESS.COM
1 day ago
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Jack Hardman/The News-Press
Willie Johnson of South Fort Myers High School
Willie Johnson knew enough, about his father’s history and his brother’s exploits and his cousin’s talent, that by extension he figured he was destined for the same success on the football field.
But he still needed to find his way. He couldn’t be told, driven or forced toward the game.
So that’s one reason why Johnson, known as “Snoop”, didn’t play the game until the age of 13.
He was partly worried he wouldn’t be as good as people thought, or that he wouldn’t stack up. He wanted to be respected.
Heading into his fourth varsity season, the 18-year-old senior has plenty of respect as he’s considered one of the best young receivers in Southwest Florida.
Following a year where he caught 49 passes for 706 yards and six touchdowns, averaging a shade under 15 yards per completion, Johnson has scholarship offers from Miami, North Carolina and South Florida.
He ranks No. 6 on The News-Press’ list of best recruits in Southwest Florida.
“The biggest thing is that he has all the qualities as a receiver,” first-year South Fort Myers head coach and longtime former assistant Anthony Dixon said. “He can run routes. He’s got size. He’s got speed. He can catch the ball and run with it. He can beat you over the top.”
Johnson comes from a long line of talented athletes. His father, Willie Johnson Sr., played at Riverdale. His brother, Sherman Dyal, was a starter at South Fort Myers. His cousin, Nate Dortch, played at Miami before transferring to Youngstown State.
Football has long been about respect for him. He honors lost family members, like his late brother and grandparents, with tattoos across his right arm. His family has been instrumental in his growth.
“My family always told me to play or try it,” Johnson said.
Their eagarness to see him on the field had to do with his natural speed and quick hands.
As a junior, he won a Class 3A track and field title with the Wolfpack’s 400-meter relay team. He set his personal record in the 200-meter dash last season in 21.67 seconds and later finished fourth at the state meet.
For a long time, the only time missing from his resume was the 40-yard dash. Then he ran a reported 4.31 seconds at Florida State in July.
Problem solved.
“He's got the height and he can fly,” Dixon said. “We don't have to rush. He'll still have an opportunity to go to a great place.”
The 6-foot, 170-pounder received a scholarship offer from Miami months following a standout camp with the Hurricanes, where Dixon said he wowed coaches. They pulled Johnson aside afterward, along with a few other prospects, and gave him a tour of the campus and facility.
Offers from the Tar Heels and the Bulls followed, but Johnson didn’t commit. There’s a good reason.
“At our school, our coaches want us to be faithful to where we verbal commit,” he said. “If we commit, they want us to stick by that. They don't want us to commit and decommit and go somewhere else. So I'm waiting until the time is right.”
Dortch was one such example. He had been followed hard by North Carolina, had committed to the Tar Heels, but then the Hurricanes swooped in. He played two seasons with Miami, but transferred to Youngstown after his playing time was sporadic.
“You might miss out on something, but there's always a plan,” Dixon said. “If you do it the right way, you don't have to worry about people asking if you're loyal. And I'm not saying they won't transfer or something else won't happen, but at least you know you did it the right way.”
Heading into his final year with the Wolfpack, Johnson says he wants to do it the right way.
He’s waiting to go on his three official visits as a senior. He wants to study business, so he wants to learn more about the academic programs at the schools.
“He loves Miami,” Dixon said. “But is Miami the best fit for you? That's what I've been talking to him about.”
CORY MULL, CMULL@NEWS-PRESS.COM
1 day ago
Google Plus
more
Jack Hardman/The News-Press
Willie Johnson of South Fort Myers High School
Willie Johnson knew enough, about his father’s history and his brother’s exploits and his cousin’s talent, that by extension he figured he was destined for the same success on the football field.
But he still needed to find his way. He couldn’t be told, driven or forced toward the game.
So that’s one reason why Johnson, known as “Snoop”, didn’t play the game until the age of 13.
He was partly worried he wouldn’t be as good as people thought, or that he wouldn’t stack up. He wanted to be respected.
Heading into his fourth varsity season, the 18-year-old senior has plenty of respect as he’s considered one of the best young receivers in Southwest Florida.
Following a year where he caught 49 passes for 706 yards and six touchdowns, averaging a shade under 15 yards per completion, Johnson has scholarship offers from Miami, North Carolina and South Florida.
He ranks No. 6 on The News-Press’ list of best recruits in Southwest Florida.
“The biggest thing is that he has all the qualities as a receiver,” first-year South Fort Myers head coach and longtime former assistant Anthony Dixon said. “He can run routes. He’s got size. He’s got speed. He can catch the ball and run with it. He can beat you over the top.”
Johnson comes from a long line of talented athletes. His father, Willie Johnson Sr., played at Riverdale. His brother, Sherman Dyal, was a starter at South Fort Myers. His cousin, Nate Dortch, played at Miami before transferring to Youngstown State.
Football has long been about respect for him. He honors lost family members, like his late brother and grandparents, with tattoos across his right arm. His family has been instrumental in his growth.
“My family always told me to play or try it,” Johnson said.
Their eagarness to see him on the field had to do with his natural speed and quick hands.
As a junior, he won a Class 3A track and field title with the Wolfpack’s 400-meter relay team. He set his personal record in the 200-meter dash last season in 21.67 seconds and later finished fourth at the state meet.
For a long time, the only time missing from his resume was the 40-yard dash. Then he ran a reported 4.31 seconds at Florida State in July.
Problem solved.
“He's got the height and he can fly,” Dixon said. “We don't have to rush. He'll still have an opportunity to go to a great place.”
The 6-foot, 170-pounder received a scholarship offer from Miami months following a standout camp with the Hurricanes, where Dixon said he wowed coaches. They pulled Johnson aside afterward, along with a few other prospects, and gave him a tour of the campus and facility.
Offers from the Tar Heels and the Bulls followed, but Johnson didn’t commit. There’s a good reason.
“At our school, our coaches want us to be faithful to where we verbal commit,” he said. “If we commit, they want us to stick by that. They don't want us to commit and decommit and go somewhere else. So I'm waiting until the time is right.”
Dortch was one such example. He had been followed hard by North Carolina, had committed to the Tar Heels, but then the Hurricanes swooped in. He played two seasons with Miami, but transferred to Youngstown after his playing time was sporadic.
“You might miss out on something, but there's always a plan,” Dixon said. “If you do it the right way, you don't have to worry about people asking if you're loyal. And I'm not saying they won't transfer or something else won't happen, but at least you know you did it the right way.”
Heading into his final year with the Wolfpack, Johnson says he wants to do it the right way.
He’s waiting to go on his three official visits as a senior. He wants to study business, so he wants to learn more about the academic programs at the schools.
“He loves Miami,” Dixon said. “But is Miami the best fit for you? That's what I've been talking to him about.”
