A few hours after sitting among a horde of students in the St. John’s auditorium last Wednesday and witnessing his friend and teammate Terrell Hall announce his commitment to play football at Alabama on National Signing Day, Tyree Johnson received two phone calls.
Playing opposite of Hall this last fall as the Cadets weak side lineman, the junior displayed that very potential, using his size, athleticism and quickness to invade the backfield and gobble up opponents. Now, as he looks toward an offseason filled with unofficial visits and plenty of training, Johnson hopes to follow in the footsteps of All-Mets Hall and Eric Assoua from the previous season.
“I’ve definitely learned a lot watching Terrell play because he can do so many things and makes so many plays,” Johnson said. “He’d tell me a lot of stuff to work on with my game, like being physical and getting better with my hands.”
Well aware that the graduation of Hall will likely mean more double teams for him next season, Johnson hopes to add a bit more girth to his already solid frame while still maintaining the versatility that allowed him to also rush for 142 yards and ultimately, garner attention on the recruiting circuit.
The transition will be similar to the one he made during his sophomore year when he transferred to St. John’s following a dominant freshman season at Bowie. Already blessed with size, Johnson has gradually developed his talents, shedding the propensity to try and bowl over blockers for a more technical approach that made this past season, his first as a starter, a notable one.
“There have definitely been a few changes coming to play in the WCAC because the players are better and the competition is tougher,” Johnson said. “But at the end of the day, football is football. If you’re good, you’re good. So I’ve just had to keep working hard and trust in my ability.”
With that attitude, more offers are sure to come on a list that also includes Rutgers and Temple. Johnson said he plans to visit Maryland this week, followed by visits to Wake Forest and Temple later this month. On those trips, he plans to use a bit more of the wisdom gleaned from Hall during his whirlwind recruitment.
“I learned to take it one step at a time because it definitely can be overwhelming,” Johnson said. “Just to have fun with it and pick the school that’s right for you.
Here are highlights from Johnson’s breakout junior season:
NUMBER CRUNCH: 3:58.25
Time in minutes and seconds that Loudoun Valley’s Drew Hunter ran the mile on Saturday, breaking the 15-year-record indoors among American high schoolers. Hunter beat South Lakes All-Met Alan Webb’s 1997 time to become only the second high school runner to crack the elusive four-minute mark indoors.
Watch Hunter’s record-breaking run here.
BREAKFAST LINKS
- The Langley boys and Robinson girls nabbed first place at the Virginia 6A North region swim championships.
- At the Metros swim championships, Sherwood’s girls won its first title in at least 20 years and Gonzaga took first on the boys’ side.
- Good Counsel picked up seven individual titles en route to its fourth straight WCAC wrestling crown.
- Arianna Richards’s effort on the final leg of the 4×200 relay lifted Bullis to the Private/Independent Schools track title.
PHOTOS FROM THE WEEKEND
WHAT TO WATCH FOR TODAY
Riverdale Baptist at Forestville girls’ basketball, 7 p.m.
Three days after falling to top-ranked National Christian, Riverdale Baptist looks to bounce back against the area’s other nationally ranked team in Forestville.
