Signee 101: Get to know 3-star CB D.J. Johnson

Iowa commit D.J. Johnson poses with defensive coordinator Phil Parker and recruiting coordinator Kelvin Bell during an at-home visit.

D.J. Johnson/Twitter

Posted 7 months ago

D.J. Johnson, a 3-star cornerback, was subject to a major recruiting battle in the summer. Johnson, a 6-foot all-stater from North Central High School in Indianapolis, chose Iowa over Notre Dame in late August. Johnson was the 11th player to pick the Hawkeyes in the 2018 class and one of three defensive backs so far who have pledged with the Hawkeyes.

D.J. Johnson: Stats, bio

Name: D.J. Johnson

Height: 6-foot

Weight: 170 pounds

School/Team: North Central High School (Indianapolis, Ind.)

D.J. Johnson: Recruiting rankings

National: No. 469

Position: No. 46

State (Ind.): 5

Note: Data according to 247Sports composite rankings

D.J. Johnson: Commitment

Iowa has had to battle for Indianapolis cornerback D.J. Johnson throughout the recruiting process, and few out-of-state players have been as passionate about the Hawkeyes as Johnson.

Johnson committed to the Hawkeyes on Aug. 22. He selected Iowa over Notre Dame in part because of former Hawkeye and North Central assistant Anthony Dean, who Johnson used as a resource when comparing the programs.

“Anthony didn’t push anything down D.J.’s throat,” North Central coach Kevin O’Shea told Land of 10. “D.J. made his own decision, but I think Anthony was able to explain Iowa City to him in a way better than anyone here could.”

I JUST MADE A B1G DECISION‼️ GO HAWKEYES #swarm18 🐤🐤🐤 pic.twitter.com/bJ7zMy8KI9

— DJ JOHNSON (@DjJohnson1127) August 22, 2017

But that was far from the end of Iowa’s recruiting efforts with Johnson. Two weeks ago, LSU offered Johnson a scholarship. Johnson still attended his official visit on Dec. 8 and reaffirmed his commitment to the Hawkeyes shortly thereafter.

“A great weekend I’ll never forget with my brothers. Official visit was a success,” Johnson wrote on Twitter. “Proud to be a Hawkeye.”

Johnson was named a member of the Indianapolis Star’s all-Indiana team and was credited with 30 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, one interception and six pass breakups this year for North Central.

Johnson is one of three Indianapolis commits in Iowa’s 2018 class. The Hawkeyes could have a visit from at least one other Indianapolis player in January.