Interview: 2019 Arkansas Talent Ryan Johnson is Too Talented and Too Athletic to Pass Up
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
While pouring over stats and watching game tape of Ryan Johnson, one can see why college coaches have been slow to shower the Arkansas talent with scholarship offers; because he is so athletic, what to do with him once on campus? Johnson truly is that can-do-anything type of player proving so by lining up at strong safety and quarterback for Prescott High School. The debate will continue until Johnson’ signature is dried on his National Letter of Intent, where to play him?
The quick comparison to Johnson’s abilities in the pocket goes to former Texas quarterback Vince Young, even by Johnson’s own highlight reel. At 6-6, 200-pounds, he can cover a lot of ground in a hurry with his feet and has a live-wire arm taking shots all over the field. The conundrum, his defensive efforts may be just as good after a 66-tackle season during his junior campaign. But, with Johnson’s body type, if a college coach wants him on defense, is he an outside linebacker, a rush defensive end, or one of the tallest safeties in the game?
In 2018, Johnson gets a full season at the helm of Prescott High School’s offense to show what he can do with his arm and legs. Interest is already coming in from regional programs such as Memphis, Louisiana Tech, Kentucky, and in-state powers Arkansas State and Arkansas with one great offer already on the table from Purdue.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the multi-sport star to learn more about his overall athleticism, offseason football workouts, and recruiting process.
On a side note, Prescott High School is now on my list with one of the best mascot names in the country – the Curley Wolves!
Interview
Ryan, you may or may not get this question often, but I have to ask, what is a Curley Wolf?
(Laughs) “A Curley Wolf is a regular wolf, I guess they threw the curly in there to stand out.”
The Curley Wolves (10-2) had a nice run into the 3A playoffs last season, how did the extra reps against top Arkansas competition help improve your overall game as a defender?
“It helped me understand the game more, I learned from mistakes. From last season, I learned a lot. I am bringing that in with me this season and helping the younger guys so we can win a championship this year.”
You got a lot of snaps at quarterback, how did your game improve on that side of the ball in 2017?
“My sophomore year, we won a state championship. Coming up then, I started at safety. That was big for me. I got away from QB my sophomore year, even though I was good at it. I had to get back into the groove last year. When I got back, I got better. We had a very good QB last year. It was a battle in the summer between us and he won. I started at safety and backed him up.”
What type of offense do the Curley Wolves execute?
“We run a spread.”
How does the offense fit your skillset?
“We are in the shotgun all the time. We air the ball out about 90 percent of the time. I love throwing the ball and running it. We can do a RPO (run-pass option) with the running back to get the linebacker going, and I can run the ball like an option. I love it. It is unstoppable.”
When the season ended, looking back, what did you consider the strengths of your game at quarterback?
“I’m a good throwing on the run. I keep my eyes downfield; I can see the guys coming across the field and I can hit a guy 50 yards downfield. I can be a pocket passer if needed. I am a good runner. I feel I can do it all.”
What are your strengths at safety?
“I love coming downhill. I like walking down at linebacker. I am good at reading offenses. When I come down, I make great plays. I am a great at blitzing. When the guards pull or kick, I know what to do. Because of my height, the QBs do not like throwing my way… and I love to hit.”
Are you playing safety again this season?
“Yes, sir. I’m playing safety this year because we are low on numbers. We will have a lot of guys playing both ways. I am playing safety and quarterback this year.”
What have you been working on this offseason defense?
“Me being long and lanky, I have to work on my coverage. I have stride speed, I have to work on my recovery speed. Playing close up, I have to work on getting my hands on the receivers. I am learning how to get my feet right. I am working on pressing them, staying with them, and looking back when the ball is in the air.”
How are the Curley Wolves looking in spring and summer practices?
“We are looking really good. We have big linemen this year and great receivers. We have a big running back who is 200 pounds, runs a 4.6, and runs over people. We have to get in shape and learn how to play four quarters so we can win a championship.”
Have you worked with a quarterback coach this offseason?
“Yes. I’ve been working with Clint Stoerner (Arkansas Razorbacks) in Little Rock.”
When you are working with Coach Stoerner, what is the focus of your workouts?
“We work on footwork, short routes – getting the ball out fast, learning how to keep my feet going in the pocket, and my drops.”
Tough question, between quarterback and safety, which do you like best?
“My favorite is quarterback. I love playing quarterback. I’ve been playing quarterback since the first-grade. Tom Brady is my all-time favorite quarterback. I have grown up watching him play.”
Have you competed at any camps this offseason?
“Yes, sir. I have competed at Arkansas, Memphis, Louisiana Tech, and Arkansas State camps.”
How did the Arkansas camp go?
“It went well. They love me up there. I feel like I did great there. I competed well up there.”
Which position did you compete at with the Hogs?
“I started off at quarterback and then they wanted to look at me as walk down safety/ linebacker.”
What about the Memphis camp, how did that go?
“That went well. That was one of my best camps. I played quarterback there; I learned a lot there. I threw well there. They like my potential and how I throw the ball. The coaches there told me that I was a great athlete.”
Do you have any upcoming camps left on the schedule?
“On July 21, I am going to a camp in Little Rock. It is a rankings camp, the Fab 40 Combine.”
Which schools are showing recruiting interest?
“Arkansas, Memphis, Louisiana Tech, Yale, Georgia Tech, Arkansas State – they are going to come down and watch me play this year, and Kentucky.”
Have you received an offer yet?
“I have an offer from Purdue.”
Congratulations on that.
“Thank you.”
Have you taken any visits in 2018?
“I went to a Junior Day at Arkansas State and I have visited at Louisiana Tech.”
Do you have any planned visits upcoming?
“I am planning on visiting Purdue sometime this summer for an unofficial.”
Do you play any other sports for Prescott?
“I play basketball, run track, and will play baseball my senior year.”
Did you get a poster dunk on anyone this year?
(Laughs) “Yeah. There was one great dunk in the championship game. It was a close game. In the final seconds, I rose up and dunked on one of their post players who had talked trash the whole game.”
Nice. A little payback.
“Yes, sir.”
Which events did you compete in with track?
“The 400, 100, 200, long jump, triple jump, 4×1, and 4×4.”
Ryan, I think you are the Curley Wolves track team. (he laughs) How is everything going in the classroom?
“My GPA is a 3.7.”
Have you taken the ACT and/or the SAT?
“Yes, sir. I score a 21 on the ACT.”
Nice. Last few questions. Is there a misconception you feel is out there about your overall game, if so, what is it and would you like to set it straight?
“Because I am tall, people think I should be a receiver or just play basketball. I am a great thrower, I throw more than I run. I trust my receivers and my line is great. I throw the ball about 75 percent of the time. The only time I run is when it is called to run.”
How would you describe your leadership qualities as a quarterback?
“On offense, I try to lead as a role model. I try to get them to run bleachers on our off day. I get them to lift extra at night. All the seniors this year are good leaders. We are a family. We try to get each other better. If I miss a workout, I have sophomores and juniors texting me to see if I am alright. That is great; I love my team.”
If a college coach reads this interview and wants to start recruiting you, what type of student-athlete are they pursuing?
“My parents and grandparents told me grades first. If you get that right, you don’t have to worry about that on the field. Football comes second after that. I love competition. I try to work harder than those around me. I go out there to be the best that I can be.”
Ryan, I appreciate your time today, thanks for your time.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Johnson family; Ryan Johnson at an Arkansas and Memphis camp