Fayetteville Cultivating Another Arkansas Next Level Talent in OLB Coleman Johnson
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Year after year, Fayetteville High School seems to churn out Division-I talents. In recent years, the 2015 group produced tight end C.J. O’Grady and linebacker Dre Greenlaw for the Razorbacks and in 2016 defensive end Eli Hale followed suit heading down the street to the Razorbacks. The 2017 haul included Missouri signees quarterback Taylor Powell and defensive tackles Akial Byers with offensive lineman Ty Clary heading to the Hogs. What will come of the 2018 class remains to be seen, but there is a 2019 outside linebacker/defensive end doing his part to keep the streak alive – Coleman Johnson.
The name Johnson coupled with the Fayetteville Bulldogs may ring a familiar tone to fans of Arkansas high school football. One of the many recent Fayetteville standouts to go onto the next level was Class of 2016 offensive lineman Noah Johnson (6-4, 308). Noah Johnson, Coleman’s older brother, jumped into the mix at Idaho earning a spot on the Sun Belt Conference’s All-Newcomer Team as a true freshman. That athletic bloodline is now working over opposing 7A competition in the Natural State.
Coleman is part of a transition at Fayetteville High School that has gone from head coach Daryl Patton in 2015, to Bill Blankenship in 2016, and then to Billy Dawson this season. The Bulldogs won a 7A state title last season (12-1) working out kinks in a new scheme under Dawson. As the season has gone along, Coleman has grown within the defense’s 4-2 base, same can be said for the Bulldogs as a team. The Bulldogs 6-4 regular season record is misleading on the surface. The four losses were by a combined 17 points with one-point losses to Bryant, a Top 10 team in Arkansas, and to Bishop Dunne, a perennial powerhouse in Dallas, Texas.
The Bulldogs have strung together five consecutive wins seeing their outside linebacker/end emerge as a force in the process. Coleman shows great quickness off the ball and strength containing the end on the weakside coming up with 52 tackles, 39 solo, 27 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, and three forced fumbles in his first year of full-time duty. Aiding in his ability to pressure the quarterback and stop the run, the 6-1, 225 pound, rising talent reports a 510 pound squat, a 275 pound bench press, and a clean at 260.
Fayetteville enters the playoffs as the No. 10 ranked team in Arkansas by MaxPreps ready to do battle with Fort Smith Southside. As the Bulldogs eye another deep run into the playoffs, I got a chance to sit down with Coleman covering his junior campaign with a preview of the Bulldogs upcoming game against the Mavericks on Friday.
Interview
The Bulldogs closed out the season with five consecutive wins. How is the team looking on both sides of the ball going into the playoffs?
“Going into the playoffs, our defense is getting better. We are working together. Our new coach brought in a new defensive scheme. At the beginning of the season, our secondary and linebackers had some confusion on different coverages. Going into the playoffs, we are looking a lot better. On the offensive side of the ball, we are putting a lot of points on the board.”
How did the last regular season game against Van Buren (55-14) go for you?
“That was one of my lesser games. I don’t know what happened. We have a point chart for each game during the season, that was my second lowest grade out of all the games.”
After a tough game where you did not feel strongly about your performance, how are you fixing your mistakes before the playoffs to ensure a great game against Southside?
“Against Van Buren, I did not use my hands as well as I normally do. Against Southside, I will work my hands to get an advantage.”
What is the base defense for Fayetteville?
“At the beginning of the season we were in a 4-2. One of our linebackers tore his ACL. After that, we shifted to a 4-1 with a stinger in the box.”
How are you used within the scheme?
“I play weakside end. I’m playing more to contain on the weakside against the run. I have the C gap with a slant to the B gap on certain plays. On offense, I play fullback on a heavy package.”
Are you getting any carries at fullback or are you used as a head ringer to open holes?
“No, I haven’t carried the ball this year. I am primarily in there for blocking.”
How did the season go overall for you?
“I was not doing well at the beginning, but as the season progressed I got better. This is my first year playing varsity. As the season has gone along, I keep getting better and better.”
How did your game improve this year?
“Last year we were under a different style of play. Last year it was all about the first step – having a quick first step. This year, our new coach wanted the defensive linemen to wait a second to read the linemen before we move. That has changed how I play. I’ve been working on reading tackles seeing if they will down block or pull. I have gotten better at striking the tackle so I can read him and make a play. Now I do it without thought but it took getting used to in games. Now I have more opportunities for tackles because I am in a better position to make plays.”
Was there an offensive lineman that you went up against this year that was a true challenge that helped you get better for the experience?
“Yes. Our offensive tackle, Cameron Ervin (Class of 2019). He started as a sophomore. Going against him all the time in practice, he is very good at run blocking. I can work on stopping the run against him in practice. He has helped me with my hands and reading. Because of him, I am able to play quicker and faster.”
As your play on the field expands during your first year of varsity ball, are you starting to catch college recruiting interest?
“Ouachita Baptist is showing interest. I am going to one of their games next weekend.”
What has you excited about visiting OBU?
“They are the first college that is showing interest in me. I want to see what a college visit is like and experience that.”
How is everything in the classroom?
“I have a 3.91 GPA.”
Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?
“No. I’m taking the ACT in December.”
Looking towards the playoffs, the Bulldogs play host to Fort Smith Southside in the first round, how will their offense challenge you guys?
“Southside’s quarterback is one of the best we have seen all year, he leads their team in rushing. He is a dual-threat. We have not seen a quarterback like him this season.”
What kind of game are you looking at based on their talent and scheme?
“Their O-line is big. I’m watching a lot of film on them to see how I should play their tackles. I look to see how I should attack working inside or outside.”
Because of the realignment of the teams in different conferences, some of the guys on Southside may have never played at Fayetteville’s stadium. What can the opposition expect from the Bulldog faithful in the stands on Friday?
“Our student section will be packed. Our fans like to cheer a lot – it will be loud. It should be a great atmosphere, especially for us playing at home. I am excited for the game.”
Coleman, thanks for your time today. Good luck in the playoffs and with your visit to OBU.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 56 Coleman Johnson in action
Photo credit: Coleman family; Coleman (right) and Noah Johnson