Thomas Johnson, wide receiver
Dallas Skyline High (14-1, state semi-finals)
6-0, 180
4.4 40, 415-lb. squat
senior stats: 59 receptions, 1,077 yds, 13 tds, plus 4 touchdowns rushing
UnderArmour All-American, 4-star recruit, rated #35 in ESPN150, 5th-best receiver prospect by rivals.com.
Jitterbug, juke or jet: With the ball in his hands, Thomas Johnson is one of the most dynamic receiver prospects in the country (dallassouthnews.org photo).
Yesterday Oregon got beaten to the podium for a half dozen of the nation’s best high school football players. Blue chip studs at Army All-American Game sauntered to the microphone one by one and picked Cal, Stanford and USC. The Oregon stayed on the table unused. Forgetting that a few years ago, Oregon seldom made it to this stage, it was a disconcerting day for the faithful and anxious who follow recruiting.
All will be forgotten and forgiven if the Ducks can hold on to the 19 solid, well-chosen athletes they’ve already picked up in this class, and add Arik Armstead, Trey Williams and Thomas Johnson.
Johnson is a key piece for the Ducks. The Oregon system thrives on multiple weapons and speed in space, stretching the defense in as many ways as possible. The 6-0, 180-lb. slot receiver from Dallas Skyline High School, the school that brought the Webfoots linebacker Anthony Wallace, is a game-breaking talent, fast, nimble and quick, with a nose and a heart for the end zone.
His talent shined in the Texas High School ranks where competition is fiercest. Johnson excelled in his senior year despite a lingering hip flexor injury, despite missing most of his junior year with a high ankle sprain, and after playing quarterback and transferring schools as a sophomore.
Thomas stands out. He’s shifty and elusive and makes big plays. At practices for the UnderArmour he regularly burned the best defensive backs in the country. After committing early to Texas, he decided to open up his recruitment this month and take trips to Cal, TCU and the Ducks. Chip Kelly visited this week, and after a look at this video, it’s easy to see why Kelly and his staff consider the fluid and flashy Texas receiver a key piece of their 2012 recruiting strategy.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QtEgyIHXuNk
Scouting notes:
Has a little De’Anthony Thomas in him. First play, small, nimble and quick, shows the great athleticism and body awareness, adjusting to a ball thrown behind him with good footwork, outruns three defenders for a long touchdown. Explosive, with a big-play mentality. Play two, a long ball down the sideline in a crowd. Doesn’t go down at first contact. No one catches him when he breaks free, gains separation as he strides to the end zone.
At :31, a punt return. Has the great player’s instinct for the open field, the I’m-going-to-score mentality. Good vision, sets up and uses his blockers well, trusts his speed. Angles don’t matter; they just can’t catch him. A playmaker, whose presence increases the effectiveness of other playmakers. So dynamic he can accomplish big things in just a few touches.
:50 takes a simple hook route and splits the pursuit. Takes the ball over the middle, into his hands without fear or hesitation, accelerating quickly to full speed. Gathers it in fluidly. Five guys have a chance at him but he’s just gone. At the five, sheds a shoulder tackle and drives through to the end zone, good desire and balance, conditioning. Makes other players tired, a great fit for the blur offense.
1:00: a bubble screen. Again the fluid catch, secure and blast straight up the field using his blocking. Quickly becomes a running back after taking the ball, incredibly dangerous in open space. A perfect fit for the Oregon spread. Sees running lanes and explodes into them. One-on-one with one unblocked defender in open space, and breaks him down helplessly without losing speed. The defensive back tackles air, defeated, out of the play as Johnson zooms by. Has that zoom, that springiness that exceptional players have. As a receiver, compares to DeSean Jackson and The Mamba.
1:10 Jet sweep. Tailback lays out for a great block on the edge. TJ scoots around the pursuit for a 25-yard touchdown.
1:17 tunnel screen, and Johnson follows his big tackle into the end zone, using the big body to shield off the defender. Runs very smart, a nose-for-the-end-zone instinct that can’t be taught.
1:29 Crisp slant route from the opponent’s 22. He’s so quick defenders have to give cushion even near the red zone, and his cuts and patterns are precise. Makes a good adjustment to the ball between two defenders. Good hands, courage, ball awareness, body control. Excellent concentration and no fear of contact. Touchdown.
1:34 Inside the 10, another slant pattern, gets off the defender with a judicious little push, ranges high for the throw. He’s a smaller receiver but plenty physical. Again the great body control and desire for the football, catching it at its highest point, with good awareness of where he is on the field, good timing with his quarterback and coordination.
1:41 Quarterback has to scramble and Johnson settles in an open area, gives him a bailout target, scampers in for the score. Football intelligence to recognize the situation and be in the right place and make a play. Turns right upfield after the catch, splits two defenders with a shot at him at the two, running strong with the great desire. Blasts through them for the score, showing good natural strength and power. Takes the ball into his hands, which makes his transitions smoother. Very smooth and fluid taking the ball.
1:50 Another jet sweep near the goal line. A defender has contain so he cuts decisively inside and takes on a horse collar tackle at the goal line, tumbles in for the touchdown. Even though he’s a smaller player there’s no lack of toughness, has some of that LaMichael James power in his wiry body. Extremely productive with his touches.
1:57 Post corner route with a ruboff, and his route is beautifully run, wide open in the corner of the end zone for an easy score. Crisp route, secures the ball.
2:06 Screen and go with a pump fake. Ball leads him out of bounds, but Thomas displays exceptional footwork on the diving catch, another superlative adjustment to the throw. Operating out of a spread offense, he’s already running most of the basic routes and responsibilities in the Oregon system, aiding him in adjusting quickly to the next level. A very finished receiver who could contribute right away. Has the poise and smarts as a player to excel as a freshman.
2:12 Go route, very similar to Jeff Maehl’s big play in the 2009 Civil War. Shakes off the defender at the line with a quick juke, wide open down the sideline. Lays out for a terrific catch and a big gain. Had the qb hit him in stride, an easy touchdown, but he saves the play with a great effort.
2:20 Corner route, laying out again with nimble footwork on the sideline.
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