Noles in De’Joshua Johnson's top three (plus video)

News - Football Recruiting

Written by Rudy Rodriguez-Chomat

Pahokee wide receiver De’Joshua Johnson is confident, very confident. He knows he can play. He know he’s a dangerous playmaker and playing against a Class 6A school like Boyd Anderson, it gave he and his Blue Devil teammates a chance to show that Pahokee isn’t just a power in Class 2B, but can knock off just about anyone anywhere anytime.

While it wasn’t the prettiest game for Pahokee (Pahokee won 14-13) as they are still trying to figure out who will be their starting quarterback, it was Johnson who took the initial snaps, before moving to wide receiver and cornerback as well.

But it was no surprise to Johnson that Pahokee came away with the win even though his team was without wide receivers Fred Pickett and Chris Dunkley who transferred to Pahokee earlier this spring.

“Straight up, straight up, straight up, we just had to teach them we’re nothing to play with bro. That right there is what it is,” Johnson told ESPN Affiliate InsideTheU.com. “And we didn’t have Dunkley or Pickett so you know that’s going to be ugly when the season starts.”

Playing all over the field, Johnson doesn’t consider himself one thing, although he prefers to play wide receiver.

“I am an athlete,” Johnson said.

But it wasn’t easy for the Blue Devils who many thought would use their ridiculous speed to run circles around Boyd Anderson even though the Cobras are loaded with Division I talent as well.

The muddy field at Lockhart Stadium slowed Pahokee down and turned it more into a slugfest in the trenches.

“I knew it was going to be a tough match up. That’s what D-I prospects are all about. I respect them and they respect me and we just came out and competed today,” Johnson said. “When you play against this kind of talent, it just gets you better.”

So what’s going on with Johnson and recruiting. What a difference just ten days make. Johnson now has a top three and the University of Miami is part of it.

“They are in my top 3,” Johnson said.

Who’s in the top three?

“Florida State, Alabama, Miami,” Johnson said. “Everybody in the world’s offered me so it’s time to get down or lay down.”

When will he announce his decision?

“On September 25, homecoming for us, that’s when I am going to make my decision,” Johnson said.

The Blue Devils are looking for their fourth straight state title, but having lost a lot from last year’s team, many think that Pahokee might be down in 2009, but Johnson is unfazed by the opinions on the outside.

“We are underrated, we are underrated this year, but we are trying to go for the National Championship,” Johnson said. “I come from so much man. I’ve been through a lot so nothing ever fazes me on the field. I get hit, I get up it’s time to play the next play. It’s like life. Man you get in trouble, you live life. Let’s say you go to jail, you get out you still got to live life, you can’t let that knock you down from anything.”

ESPN Evaluation

Johnson is one of the most explosive, electrifying wide receiver prospects this class has to offer. Pahokee has produced some great skill players the last two years in CB Janoris Jenkins and WR Nu'Keese Richardson and Johnson may be the most explosive of the three. He is as quick as he is fast. Gets from 0-60 MPH in a hurry. He shows the ability to get off the line with burst and quickness and is a tough guy to press at the line. Shows exceptional separation on vertical routes. Consistently turns defensive backs around and shows the ability to explode into and out of his cuts. Has the rare ability to stop and start with no wasted motion and is a terror in space. He has excellent hands, shows the ability to snatch on the run and get upfield immediately. Shows good body control, can adjust to poorly thrown balls and has a second gear when tracking down vertical throws. Can create separation immediately in tight man-to-man matchups. Runs crisp routes, knows how to get open and is very fluid. Has rare change of direction, is a threat after the catch, and is elusive in the open-field. Can be an explosive returner in the kicking game. Johnson is extremely lean and muscular and built in similar fashion to former teammate Richardson and must bulk up considerably in the upper body, does not have great height, but isn't on the shorter side either. is built like a spaghetti noodle. Likely won't be.

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