Calabasas Safety Justin Johnson has Revenge on his Mind Heading into the 2015 Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Year after year it seems every team in California is chalked full of next level talent which leads to high expectations in the win-loss columns for all programs. In 2014 Calabasas High School was one of the teams with a lot of young talent learning their way on the field under new head coach Casey Clausen. The Coyotes finished 6-6, below their own expectations, but did make it to the second round of the California High School Playoffs before losing to West (Torrance) 52-41 in the CIF Southern Section.

One of the Coyotes’ leaders on defense is safety/outside line backer Justin Johnson. The Class of 2016 talent had 51 tackles last season adding 3.0 tackles for a loss with an interception and a fumble recovery. Johnson and his teammates are all in for the 2015 season knowing their time to show the world what they can do is at hand.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview I caught up with Johnson after his summer filled with Team 19 7×7 tournaments to get an update on his recruiting process and a sneak peek at some of the building expectations the Coyotes are placing on themselves before the 2015 season kicks off on Aug. 28 against Canyon (Canyon Country, CA).

Interview
Justin, how did your Calabasas 7×7 team do during the offseason?

“We never could win the big game or the championship. We have a lot of the pieces and there is a lot of talk about our team and the players coming to our team along with how everything is happening. We’re just trying to build a program.”

Did you go to any college camps during the offseason?

“I went to one or two, I think I went to one. I went to the Mission Viejo one with Michigan. I didn’t go to a lot of camps this summer. I was in summer school and trying to workout getting ready for our season. We have one goal this year. This is my last year, so everybody has one goal and that is CIF and state.”

How did the Michigan camp go for you?

“I really liked it. I think I did pretty well. I was in the outside linebacker group because I think that is the position I can really play in college plus safety. I think I was one of the quickest and the fastest one because I am more of an athletic outside linebacker. I’m not as big as a typical linebacker but I’m taller with athletic speed kind of outside linebacker. I was one of the fastest outside linebackers they had. I think I was Top 2.”

Do you remember what they measured you and weighed you in at for the Michigan camp?

“I was 188 pounds and 6-feet.”

Did you run a 40-yard dash at the camp?

“They didn’t run a 40 but at our school we have a speed coach who comes in. He timed everybody’s 40, my 40 was a 4.62.”

You played a lot of 7×7 in the offseason, what else have you done to prepare yourself for your senior season?

“I’ve been doing a lot more lifting. I’ve been working on legs, quickness, and power. I’ve been doing a little bit of speed training with Coach (Chris) Asher. I’ve been lifting trying to put on a little more weight if I want to play outside linebacker or strong safety in college. I have tried to put more solid weight on and get faster, stronger, and quicker. I’ve also been learning the playbook for outside linebacker. Last year I was playing safety and this year they have moved me down and put me at the outside linebacker spot because I was one of the best tacklers on my team. I was Top 5 in tackles. They moved me up a little bit because at safety, all the way back there, they could put me in the box and stop the play for a lesser gain.”

You sound excited about the switch in positions but are you excited about moving to outside linebacker?

“Yeah, I’ve been watching a lot of outside linebackers players like Bud Dupree (Pittsburg Steelers). I feel like I can be one of them in the future because of how tall I am and how fast I am. I like to come up and make the tackles. I like to make tackles and hit people. I think outside linebacker is more to my abilities.”

Will you play any other positions this year?

“I should be playing some running back this year.”

Did you take any unofficial visits over the summer?

“Yes. I was with my 7×7, Team 19 – Keyshawn Johnson’s 7×7 team. We went down to Arizona and Arizona State for a weekend. I really liked Arizona. I’m hoping to talk to the coaches more. I don’t have an offer from them yet but I can see myself playing there. It is close to home. I love my family so I want to stay close to my family and not go too far away. It’s not too far so I feel like that is a great place. Their facilities and everything was tops. I got to see their practice and it was something I feel I could be a part of.”

How did the ASU visit go?

“I really liked ASU. I liked their dorms and their football facilities. You know it’s hot there in Arizona so I really liked their indoor bubble. It was amazing. I’ve never seen anything like that before. In Southern California our practices are 100-102 degrees and I’ve never seen an indoor facility like that. It was crazy and state of the art. I’ve been to several different colleges and I’ve never seen anything like that before so that really amazed me.”

When we last spoke Cal was one of the main schools showing interest in you. Which schools are showing interest in you now?

“I get a lot of letters from ASU and from UCLA. I’ve talked to a couple of coaches from Arizona and Cal. It’s really mellow right now. I’ve talked to New Mexico, Sac State (Sacramento State), and San Diego.”

When does football practices pick back up for Calabasas?

“We’ve been off since June 28th and I think we do not go back until August 3rd. We’ve just been lifting over that time.”

Have you had a chance to look at our upcoming game schedule yet and if so are there any games you are excited to play this year?

“Yes I have. I’m very excited, always excited about the season opener. We play Canyon. I feel like that will be a huge game for us. There is a lot of talk about our players and all the offers we have on our team. I wouldn’t call it jealousy or hatred but I feel like all of our players have worked hard for everything that we have. We are a hardworking team. Everything our players have they have worked hard for. I feel like everybody on our team deserves everything that they have. I can’t wait for the season to start so we can show everybody that has been talking and bad mouthing Calabasas to show them what we have. I want to show everybody how hard we’ve worked.

“Last year we got stomped out by St. Francis (45-7). We have a revenge game against them. I want to get back at them for what they did to us last year. So there are a couple of games that we’ll be ready for this year.”

Tell me a little bit about your younger brother Mateen.

“He’s a Class of 2017 guy playing wide receiver. He’s already 6’2”, 180 pounds. He’s got really good hands. He doesn’t like receiver’s gloves but he catches everything clean and it’s all his hands. He’s been working out with (quarterback) Tristan (Gebbia), (wide receiver) Keyshawn (Johnson Jr.), and I.”

Good luck this year.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: twitter.com; Justin Johnson at Arizona
Photo credit: Justin Johnson; Team 19 at Arizona State
Photo credit: Justin Johnson; Mateen Johnson