Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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36 MAY 2019 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY DAVID MCKINNEY There are a few prospects that you could argue are Notre Dame's top overall offensive targets for the class of 2020. One name that most would agree would be right near the top of the list is Jordan Johnson, a four-star Ri- vals100 wide receiver from St. Louis De Smet Jesuit that committed to Notre Dame during an official visit the weekend of April 6. The 6-2, 182-pound pass catcher originally planned to commit to his school of choice to celebrate his moth- er's birthday July 28, but decided he had seen everything he needed to see while he was in South Bend. Johnson chose the Fighting Irish over offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Michigan, USC, Texas, Missouri, Auburn, Florida, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Mississippi State and sev- eral others. Prior to his pledge, Note Dame had been recruiting Johnson for more than a year, with several coaches — including quarterbacks coach Tommy Rees and offensive coordi- nator/tight ends coach Chip Long — building strong relationships with the talented receiver. Johnson — Rivals' No. 1 player in Missouri, and No. 13 wide receiver and No. 59 overall prospect nation- ally — visited Notre Dame multiple times before making a decision, in- cluding a pair of unofficial visits in 2018 (Jan. 26 and March 3). De Smet head coach Robert Stee- ples said Johnson has all the attri- butes a coach could want in a No. 1 pass catcher. "He's a very versatile receiver, he's got a great deal of speed and is very competitive at the point of attack," Steeples said. "Also, he's got the ability to create, whether it's in the screen game, intermediate routes or really stretching the defense." A common theme for young re- ceivers is to lose focus or give less effort in instances where they are not the primary target. This is true at the prep and collegiate level. According to Steeples, Johnson is a high-effort player who values making an impact whether he gets the ball or not. "The effort he gives on every play, you see some of the things he does and you can tell he's working on those," the coach noted. "You can see that work ethic when he's competing. "His competitive nature causes him to bring a lot of energy every time he's lined up." Because he is far and away the best player on his team, Johnson has had no choice but to step into a leader- ship position. Steeples said his star's routine and method of motivation is unique. Johnson goes about his daily work in a business-like approach, working hard and demanding that his teammates match his work and focus. "He's been thrust into a position where he's a leader," Steeples ex- plained. "We always challenge him to lead by example. He gets along great with the guys, they gravitate toward him and he's played his role very well thus far." Of course, Johnson usually is a pretty good bet to get in the end zone, but Steeples said the rising se- nior understands that the ball won't come his way every play. "He has really bought into the game plan," Steeples said. "He knows when it's his time to take over, and when it's somebody else's time he knows to make the block and run the right route to help them do what they've got to do." Johnson has all the skills needed to be a standout on the gridiron, but it his entire package on and off the field that makes him such a strong fit at Notre Dame. Johnson knows he will need all the skills in the classroom as well, and after four years at a school like De Smet, Steeples said that won't be a problem for the four-star recruit. "De Smet is a challenging school academically, so he's familiar with the work load in the classroom," Stee- ples said. "We've challenged him to be humble and hungry in everything he does, whether it's interacting with a teacher, a coach or a teammate." According to The St. Louis Post-Dis- patch, Johnson caught 28 passes for 721 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior for De Smet Jesuit (2-8 record). ✦ FILM ANALYSIS Strengths Notre Dame's offensive coaches have often stated their desire to add more speed and impact playmakers to the roster, and Jordan Johnson gives them that … Has top-notch speed, quick feet and the potential to become a dynamic route runner … Efficient with his footwork getting into and out of cuts … Good feel for finding soft spots against zone looks … Has potential to be a major threat with the ball in his hands due to his combination of strength, quickness, strength and vision … Possesses tremendous ball skills and tracks the deep ball well. Areas For Improvement Johnson has to improve his pre-snap stance, which will help him become even more ex- plosive at the snap … Effort in the run game can be inconsistent … Must continue adding strength to his wiry frame … Needs work with technique when facing press coverage. — Bryan Driskell COMMITMENT PROFILE JORDAN JOHNSON Fighting Irish Land One Of Their Top Wide Receiver Targets Rivals rates Johnson as a four-star talent, the No. 1 player in Missouri, and the No. 13 wide receiver and No. 59 overall player in the class of 2020. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM "You can see that work ethic when he's competing. His competitive nature causes him to bring a lot of energy every time he's lined up." DE SMET JESUIT HEAD COACH ROBERT STEEPLES ON JOHNSON