Interview: Talented 2020 California WR Chad Johnson Jr. Updates Workouts and Recruiting

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

A glimpse into the future of possibilities was given to southern California high school football fans during the 2017 season when Chad Johnson Jr. took the field. The super sophomore was all over the field to the delight of Gondoliers fans, and to college football scouts, helping lead his Los Angeles area team into the playoffs.

Johnson’s primary position may be receiver, but that did not stop him from filling in the stat sheet at multiple positions and on both sides of the ball. On defense, he racked up 22 tackles, four tackles for a loss, two sacks, two fumble recoveries, forced a fumble, and came away with one interception. When Venice High School flipped the ball, Johnson rushed for an 8-yard touchdown, connected on his lone pass attempt, a 38-yard strike, and hauled in 20 passes for 342 yards with four trips into the end zone over seven games played.

2020 WR Chad Johnson – Venice

With all eyes on the budding 6-2, 180-pound, athlete, the offseason heading into his junior season is critical to help push his game and physical abilities forward. When asked about his offseason workouts, Johnson was quick to reply, “They are going great. I have been working on my separation, and I’ve been watching Amon-Ra St. Brown – oh my God. He’s great. I’ve been working on my speed so I can be unstoppable this season.” Johnson is seeing the biggest growth in his game with his footwork, “I was pretty slow last year, but I have gotten faster. I’ve been focused on my footwork and overall speed.”

The hard work over the spring is paying off seeing Johnson perform well at national camps and combines. With performances at the Under Armour All-American Camp, Rivals, and the Nike Opening Regional, he rightly touts his play against the best of the best, “The camps have been great. Rivals was my best. I did great in the one-on-ones. I never got jammed. Once I did well at the first camp, my confidence grew. Now, I am on it.”

Early offers have been extended to Johnson from Oregon State, his dad’s alma mater, and Florida Atlantic, but his play has attracted a crowd since the 2017 season concluded. With news of his camp performances spreading, offers from Seton Hill and Arizona State have been dropped with the Florida Gators showing heavy interest as well as Colorado, Colorado State, Weber State, and Montana taking a look at him.

Johnson has not set any unofficial visit yet, but has a heavy college camp circuit planned already with more possible dates to be added later. Colleges set to see Johnson perform at their camps includes Arizona State, Oregon State, Stanford, and Notre Dame. One can make a simple bet that his offer list will grow once he flashes his all-around athleticism at some of the top camps with hopeful college coaches on-hand to see for themselves.

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Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Chad Johnson at a ProWay workout and at the UA Camp