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All Rights Reserved

Jarrett Johnson

Jarrett Johnson

DE/DT, 6'4, 270, 4.8, 320 BP
Chiefland, FL

Nickname: JJ
Birthday: 8-14-81
High School: Chiefland
HS Mascot: Indians
HS Coach: Sam Holland
HS Position: DE/DT/OG
HS Number: 54
AL Number: 96
Official Visits: Alabama
Second Choice: Ohio State or Florida State
Host During Alabama Visit: Luke Tucker
Committed: 8-7-98
Roommate To Be: Jeremy Walker
Academic Status: Qualified

Stats

HS Junior Season

Tackles

  • 97 total
  • 31 for loss
  • 25 QB sacks

Fumbles

  • 8 recovered

HS Senior Season

Tackles

  • 92 total
  • 43 for loss
  • 22 QB sacks

Fumbles

  • 4 recovered

Career

Tackles

  • 249 total
  • 81 for loss
  • 57 QB sacks

Fumbles

  • 14 recovered

Honors

  • Two-time All-Area
  • Two-time All-State
  • Tampa Tribune National Top 100
  • Atlanta Journal Southern Top 100
  • Two-time Florida All-Gridiron
  • Area Defensive Player of The Year
  • Team Defensive MVP
  • USA Today All American
  • Pigskin Preps Super South 75
  • Forrest Davis All South
  • SuperPrep All American
  • Prep Star All American

SBR Scouting Report

Good quickness. Relentless intensity. Consistent performer who outworks the competition on every play. Could begin his collegiate career as a strong-side end but will most likely move inside to tackle. Has the tools to be an outstanding offensive line prospect. Projects as a defensive tackle.

[Observation: junior game film.]

Stories

The Cottrell Connection

Last May, Ronnie Cottrell stopped by the office at Chiefland High School to pick up a copy Jarrett Johnson's transcript.


Johnson

"It's kind of a funny story," Johnson says. "My sister, Mary Beth, was an office aide at school. When Coach Cottrell came, she asked him, 'Where have you been? We've been waiting for you.' Coach Cottrell was shocked. He had no idea who she was."

Mary Beth introduced herself and told Cottrell that her brother was dying to hear from Alabama.

"Coaches from everywhere were coming to see me practice and I was getting offers from everybody," Johnson says. "I was surprised that Alabama hadn't come by yet. I was thinking, 'Come on Alabama, where are you?"

Cottrell apologized to Mary Beth. He told her that he wouldn't be able to attend practice that afternoon because of an appointment to see another prospect.

"She told Coach to go see the other prospect and then swing back by to watch me practice. She knew how badly I wanted to hear from Alabama."

That afternoon, Cottrell returned for practice.

"Oh yeah, I was very excited that he was there," Johnson says. "I always admired Alabama very much."

That night Cottrell phoned Johnson and offered him a scholarship.

"Oh man, it was awesome," Johnson recalls. "I was wondering if I was going to hear from them and then all of sudden here they are offering me a scholarship. It was the greatest day of my life."

It's All About Technique

One time he'll beat his opponent with a The Swim Move. Then he'll come back with The Big Rip. Later he finishes them off with The Club.

That's how Jarrett Johnson made 55 sacks in high school.

Jarrett Johnson
Johnson and Robert Branch.

"It's all about proper technique," Johnson says. "I have about four or five moves that I use."

Johnson says that he's constantly looking for new techniques to make him a better pass rusher. He spends many hours studying film and watching defensive linemen in the NFL.

"There's nothing like analyzing defensive line play," he says. "I really get into figuring out and understanding the techniques that work best."

According to Johnson, the key to pass rushing is forcing the offensive lineman off balance. That's where The Swim Move, The Big Rip and The Club come into play.

"Once he's off balance, he's whipped," Johnson says. "If you've got good technique, you'll win most of the time."

Johnson's Hero

It was prior to last year's A-Day. Johnson was on an unofficial visit to Alabama. He didn't know that he was standing next to his hero.

"I had just told my Bama-Belle that Michael Myers was favorite player," Johnson recalls. "She said that he had just been standing next to me."

But by then it was too late.

"He had already walked away. I was disappointed because I idolized him. I loved watching Alabama play when he was there."

Johnson plans to wear the same number that Myers wore at Alabama.

"Was he really number 96? I didn't remember that," Johnson says. "Man, that'll be an honor for me."

The Goalline Stand

SBR
Jarrett Johnson
Johnson

Late in the fourth quarter Chiefland trailed 10-6. Plantation American Heritage had a first-and-goal at the Indians's one yardline.

"If we didn't stop them, the game was over," recalls Jarrett Johnson. "The next three plays were very special to me."

First Down: Plantation American Heritage tried a dive play up the middle. Johnson shot the gap and stuffed it for a one-yard loss.

Second Down: The running back tried to sweep left, but Johnson caught him from behind and slammed him for a five-yard loss.

Third Down: From the seven, PAH tried another sweep to the left. Johnson lunged into the backfield and tackled the runner for another loss.

Fourth Down: The field goal attempt sailed wide right.

Chiefland lost the game, but Johnson will never forget the goalline stand.

Q&A

TI: Growing up in Florida, how did you become interested in Alabama?

JJ: My daddy never liked Florida and it rubbed off on me. I wouldn't say that I was an Alabama fan, but I always admired their style quite a bit. I knew that if they ever recruited me, I'd be very interested

TI: How much did Ronnie Cottrell influence your decision to choose Alabama?

JJ: Like I said, I always liked Alabama, but he was a very important part of my decision.

TI: You were a highly recruited player that was recruited by some of the top coaches in the county. What is that makes Cottrell unique?

JJ: He knows a ton of people, yet he remembers everyone on a personal basis. His ability to establish relationships on a personal level is incredible. He comes across as your friend.

TI: Did he recruit you while he was at Florida State?

JJ: Actually, the first recruiting letter I ever got came from him my freshman year. I'll never forget that.

TI: What position do you expect to play at Alabama?

JJ: They recruited me to play defensive end, but I think I'll end up at tackle. The way I'm built and my body movement is like a tackle. In fact, I think Coach Lance has probably already moved me to tackle.

TI: Have you already met Lance Thompson?

JJ: Oh yeah. He came down during recruiting. He came into our house, kicked back in the recliner, and made himself right at home. We just watched TV and talked all night. We fell in love with him. I'm very excited to have the opportunity to play for him.

TI: You were saying that you'll probably be a tackle at Alabama. But weren't you an end in high school?

JJ: Actually, I played both positions quite a bit.

TI: You're 270 pounds right now. Do you need to get bigger to play tackle?

JJ: Not really. I would like to stay between 265-270. If I gain weight, that's fine. The main thing to me is that I keep my quickness.

TI: Have you already started preparing for next season?

JJ: Yeah, I'm working out on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday, I'm doing a lot of agility work and running sprints.

TI: Do you expect to play next season?

JJ: I told the coaches that if I'm ready to play, then I want to play. But if they don't think I'm ready, then I want them to redshirt me. The main thing is not to waste a year if I'm not ready.