'18 IN CB Donald DJ Johnson (Iowa Verbal)

[BobbyMac]

Cornerback
Indianapolis, IN
North Central HS

Measurements:
Height: 5-11
Weight: 170

Rankings:

247 Comp ..... ..... #29 CB ..... #315 OA ..... .8926 rating
247 ................ ..... #27 CB ..... #278 OA ...... 90
Scout ............. ..... #28 CB
Rivals ............. NR
ESPN .............. NR

Offers:
Cincy
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Miami U
Minnesota
Purdue
Ball St
BGSU
NIU
Toledo
WMU

Interest:
Notre Dame
Nebraska
Ohio St
Penn St

Media Links:

Twitter = @DjJohnson1127

Donald Johnson - Hudl

Highlights:

<iframe src='//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/6017899/5823be687bddf70d88cd6c55' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[zelezo vlk]

Somebody to keep an eye on once Gervin and another CB prospect decommit on the last week of January 2018?

 

[BobbyMac]

Got a huge bump up the 247 charts. Wiltfong really likes him. Watch the tape and you'll see why. Visited ND twice last year. There is interest.

This is the kinda recruit you go all out on and lock up. DJ Johnson is the perfect early take that ends up your 4th/5th DB in a great class or a lifesaver if the class falls apart. He would have been the perfect CB to have in Indiana in the '17 cycle. This kid will blow up, just a matter of time.

 

[connor_in]

These kids today and their crazy nicknames....where do they come up with this stuff

 

[BobbyMac]

Got Cincy and Iowa visits this week. Visiting Minnesota and IU for Jr. Days.

A great in-state 3rd option who is probably blowing up in the B1G circle right now.

 

[NDMIA]

Any reason this guy isn't getting offered? Is he in the Michael Dowell category (4 star recruit) not getting offered until later or maybe never? Is there anything academic related holding back an offer?

 

[Domina Nostra]

Any reason this guy isn't getting offered? Is he in the Michael Dowell category (4 star recruit) not getting offered until later or maybe never? Is there anything academic related holding back an offer?

Because ND has a commitment from a 4-star that plays for a school that NEVER sends kids to ND, and because there are other higher-rated kids. Makes sense to me.

ND's 7-part strategy for filling roster gaps under Kelly has always been:

1) Declare emphatically that you have learned your lesson and: (a) you are casting a wide net and (b) you are not putting all your eggs in one basket;

2) Rope in a highly-rated player, then put all your eggs in that basket;

3) Recruit only elite pipe dreams to compliment the highly-ranked player, slow play everyone else, including good plan Bs

4) watch the pipe dreams go elsewhere, watch all the plan Bs form relationships elsewhere...

5) Notice that your highly-ranked, early commit has started shopping around

6) try to jump in with a few plan Cs

7) Lose highly-rated commit; land three plan Cs

*Just kidding, I have no idea why they aren't recruiting him.

 

[NDMIA]

Well put. I wish that wasn't true but it sorta is. Like for D-Line we said no to John Waggoner, Devin O'Rourke (player of the year in IL), and Malik Vann and we might land Mustipher and Booker. I'll take the trade, but if we miss out to Tenn and Stanford respectively to we grab a last minute 3 star? My Dad is a Vanderbilt alumni and he watched James Franklin pull in some absolute studs that were plan B's for Notre Dame, Alabama, etc. and propelled them to their best records in school history. I'm not saying that man can coach, but his method of offering every good player and letting the first one's who want in is working in the recruiting game. BK could learn a few things instead of waiting on Amon-Ra St. Brown to go to USC and then taking up a recruiting battle against IU for one of their WR commits.

 

[dublinirish]

Well put. I wish that wasn't true but it sorta is. Like for D-Line we said no to John Waggoner, Devin O'Rourke (player of the year in IL), and Malik Vann and we might land Mustipher and Booker. I'll take the trade, but if we miss out to Tenn and Stanford respectively to we grab a last minute 3 star? My Dad is a Vanderbilt alumni and he watched James Franklin pull in some absolute studs that were plan B's for Notre Dame, Alabama, etc. and propelled them to their best records in school history. I'm not saying that man can coach, but his method of offering every good player and letting the first one's who want in is working in the recruiting game. BK could learn a few things instead of waiting on Amon-Ra St. Brown to go to USC and then taking up a recruiting battle against IU for one of their WR commits.

you gotta go after the highly rated kids. Guys like Waggoner and O'Rourke could be taken into the fold at a later date if the staff puts on a full court press.

 

[BobbyMac]

you gotta go after the highly rated kids. Guys like Waggoner and O'Rourke could be taken into the fold at a later date if the staff puts on a full court press.

MC Hiphophammer called and he's demanding a retraction.

 

[Domina Nostra]

you gotta go after the highly rated kids. Guys like Waggoner and O'Rourke could be taken into the fold at a later date if the staff puts on a full court press.

Sometimes. Lots of times they've moved on.

But where I think the recruiting gets off-course is when they land one of their top prospects early and then slow play the kids who they would normally take if they other kid hadn't committed. Basically, they get greedy.

Like every other year, we act like we "have" all the kids that have have committed. We don't.

Decide who you think you can win with and its first come first serve from there. Build a good base. Save the last few spots in the class for difference makers.

 

[zelezo vlk]

MC Hiphophammer called and he's demanding a retraction.

The staff also made no moves on him until a few weeks before NSD.

 

[BobbyMac]

The staff also made no moves on him until a few weeks before NSD.

To be fair, they gave him the steady... "We really like you, come to Invasion and we are seriously keeping an eye on you because Hammer, we really like you, we really really like you, almost enough to offer you right now but we are afraid you will commit" treatment all throughout the cycle.

They are doing that to Dashon Bussell (also from Fort Wayne) this cycle.

 

[Domina Nostra]

To be fair, they gave him the steady... "We really like you, come to Invasion and we are seriously keeping an eye on you because Hammer, we really like you, we really really like you, almost enough to offer you right now but we are afraid you will commit" treatment all throughout the cycle.

They are doing that to Dashon Bussell (also from Fort Wayne) this cycle.

And seemingly like 25 DBs.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Fort Wayne has a guy every year it seems.

 

[Luckylucci]

Well put. I wish that wasn't true but it sorta is. Like for D-Line we said no to John Waggoner, Devin O'Rourke (player of the year in IL), and Malik Vann and we might land Mustipher and Booker. I'll take the trade, but if we miss out to Tenn and Stanford respectively to we grab a last minute 3 star? My Dad is a Vanderbilt alumni and he watched James Franklin pull in some absolute studs that were plan B's for Notre Dame, Alabama, etc. and propelled them to their best records in school history. I'm not saying that man can coach, but his method of offering every good player and letting the first one's who want in is working in the recruiting game. BK could learn a few things instead of waiting on Amon-Ra St. Brown to go to USC and then taking up a recruiting battle against IU for one of their WR commits.

A couple of problems with this post. A little of this post is taken out of context and misinformed.

We signed 3 DT's last cycle and we already have Jayson/Justin Ademilola as commits. So the board will naturally shrink (we are at 4DT's in 2 classes, with 3 of those being legit 4 star players, and 2 being top 10-15 DT's in their respective classes). Also, we are in on more than just Mustipher and Booker at those positions. Plus, it's May 3rd for crying out loud. Summer visits haven't happened, II hasn't happened, and ZERO OV's have taken place or even been scheduled. Give it time before we make these accusations. From purely reading articles from various sites, I can say without a doubt, that this defensive staff is completely different than others. They are all over the place talking to recruits and building relationships. They can't control Newsome wanting to shut it down and commit to Northwestern but what they can control is that they communicated their stance to him the entire time. Just like they are with a TON of DB recruits at this time. Where previous staffs went wrong is not having those relationships in place, properly communicating that to the prospects, or just flat out not even taking the time to review the profiles of some prospects.

Misinformation, we are not "saving" a spot for Amon-Ra, he has his spot regardless. We have Micah Jones and Lenzy committed while we are still recruiting Tommy Bush, Kevin Austin, Cota, Crawford, Keys, Crocker, Schwartz, Devonta Jason, etc. We'd take any 4 of those guys right now today, or 2 more, and still take Amon-Ra. We're feverishly trying to get Kevin Austin on board, hence a spring visit. That could potentially give us a 3 WR's before the season even started, so what are we complaining about again?

 

[BobbyMac]

Any reason this guy isn't getting offered? Is he in the Michael Dowell category (4 star recruit) not getting offered until later or maybe never? Is there anything academic related holding back an offer?

In regards to him not getting offered.

One thing that could be a factor is books. DJ fits the Northwestern target perfectly, under recruited Indy / Chicago kids that they are in good shape for if A.) They qualify and B.) ND doesn't offer.

DJ came into The Opening Chicago a little small. Officially 5-11, I read somewhere 5-10.5. Not that it's a deal breaker BUT he also didn't knock it out of the park in testing.

5-11, 170

4.75 - 40 - Slow for top tier P5 CB recruit

4.26 - Shuttle (Good)

31.5 - PB (Low but least important test by far for CB's)

36.6 - Vert (OK to Good)

87.00 - Total

If you have a 4.75 CB he better be playing Julian Love (4.71) level defense and not Nick Coleman ('16) level defense.

This has been the line on DJ, he's a better player than he is a measurable athlete. There's nothing wrong with that BUT ND has developed some good relationships with DB's like Hallett, Hampton, Birdsong and Campbell who are exceptional athletes even if they aren't as polished and skilled of a CB as Johnson is at this time. It then becomes a now vs future / floor vs ceiling analysis.

 

[phgreek]

Don Johnson coming to south bend...sweet I can bust out my pastel puffy shirts and parachute pants...knew I kept that shit for a reason...

Kid looks good to me...get

 

[BobbyMac]

Don Johnson coming to south bend...sweet I can bust out my pastel puffy shirts and parachute pants...knew I kept that shit for a reason...

Kid looks good to me...get

Sounds like Seinfeld and Sammy Hagar had a baby. Sonny Crockett didn't wear either.

 

[Luckylucci]

And for all that hoopla and hand wringing, there is this. Kid said he ran a 4.5 in front of Elston and is calling him this evening.

https://notredame.forums.rivals.com/threads/nd-stops-by-to-see-in-state-2018-cb.107511/

 

[NDMIA]

My point was more of the filling spots while going after the top guys. Lets say you plan on taking 4-5 DBs this cycle. You take the first four 4* recruits that want in. Then for the rest of the year you work on keeping four committed and adding one game changer or two. Like Gervin, Allen, Michael Dowell, DJ Johnson, and then work the rest of the year on Griffith or someone of that nature.

 

[phgreek]

Sounds like Seinfeld and Sammy Hagar had a baby. Sonny Crockett didn't wear either.

Dude wore pastels and shoulder pad shirts...I just want my parachute pants back...

I didn't say ruffles...

 

[Luckylucci]

My point was more of the filling spots while going after the top guys. Lets say you plan on taking 4-5 DBs this cycle. You take the first four 4* recruits that want in. Then for the rest of the year you work on keeping four committed and adding one game changer or two. Like Gervin, Allen, Michael Dowell, DJ Johnson, and then work the rest of the year on Griffith or someone of that nature.

Sounds good, and I would agree buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut it's May freaking 3rd. So, again, II hasn't happened, OV's haven't happened, the staff is just getting out post spring practice for visits, etc. And it just so happens that they made a visit to check out DJ today.

Its just so early in the process to have these conversations. Especially considering that Elko and Company are truly doing exactly what we'd want them to. Evaluating a lot of players, in an effort to find the best fits. It just happens that they aren't on your schedule.

Again, this is distinctly different than other staffs. Elko is very aware of these players, they've been evaluated, will continue to be evaluated, and also communicated with. This notion that BK is asleep at the wheel all the time so the whole staff must be is a thing of the past. Elko and Lea specifically recruit their butts off.

 

[BobbyMac]

And for all that hoopla and hand wringing, there is this. Kid said he ran a 4.5 in front of Elston and is calling him this evening.

https://notredame.forums.rivals.com/threads/nd-stops-by-to-see-in-state-2018-cb.107511/

If he ran a 4.5 (4.50-4.59) for Elston then we may have a book issue. Why else would they not be offering a kid who is nearby, has visited twice, runs a 4.5 something and is widely praised for his cover skills while playing in a Top 10 HS conference nationally? Add to that no Northwestern offer and that's what I 'm leaning towards.

Good news is, if it is books he must be close for them to still be stopping in to see him.

 

[koonja]

His stars look nice but his offer list is weak sauce. I'm fine passing right now.

 

[Domina Nostra]

A couple of problems with this post. A little of this post is taken out of context and misinformed.

We signed 3 DT's last cycle and we already have Jayson/Justin Ademilola as commits. So the board will naturally shrink (we are at 4DT's in 2 classes, with 3 of those being legit 4 star players, and 2 being top 10-15 DT's in their respective classes). . . .

Sounds good, and I would agree buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut it's May freaking 3rd. So, again, II hasn't happened, OV's haven't happened, the staff is just getting out post spring practice for visits, etc. And it just so happens that they made a visit to check out DJ today.

Its just so early in the process to have these conversations. Especially considering that Elko and Company are truly doing exactly what we'd want them to. Evaluating a lot of players, in an effort to find the best fits. It just happens that they aren't on your schedule.

Again, this is distinctly different than other staffs. Elko is very aware of these players, they've been evaluated, will continue to be evaluated, and also communicated with. This notion that BK is asleep at the wheel all the time so the whole staff must be is a thing of the past. Elko and Lea specifically recruit their butts off.

Personally, I definitely concede I'm being snarky because of the past.

But its the board shrinking part that I think has been the issue.

Say you are taking 2 free safeties and have 6 guys you are really after (1 being the best, 6 being a quality player). Then the #3 guy on your board commits. Does that mean the board just shrunk to essentially your #1 and #2 targets, because the pressure is off, so for the next 4 months our energy is directed to those two guys and the other guys get slow-played?

I think that is how you recruit if you are OSU or Alabama or Clemson (and kids are willing to believe the lies). But we're coming off a bad year. I think the way to build a roster from there is to admit that you are unlikely to land the elite kids, so you stay focused on all 6 kids, and take a commit from any of them, even if it is the 5th and 6th kids. Now you recruit the top of your board for the rest of the year at every position and take who you can based on your needs and space. But too often we aim for 1 and 2, and end up with 10 and 12, creating big roster holes.

Maybe this coaching staff is different. Could well be.

His stars look nice but his offer list is weak sauce. I'm fine passing right now.

Again, IMO, this is why we end up with plan C, instead of plan B+.

However, I agree that stars aren't everything. The kid could be Plan C, in the coaches eyes, despite the stars. He also could be just a bad fit for ND.

 

[Luckylucci]

Personally, I definitely concede I'm being snarky because of the past.

But its the board shrinking part that I think has been the issue.

Say you are taking 2 free safeties and have 6 guys you are really after (1 being the best, 6 being a quality player). Then the #3 guy on your board commits. Does that mean the board just shrunk to essentially your #1 and #2 target, so for the next 4 months that is where your energy is going?

I think that is how you recruit if you are OSU or Alabama or Clemson. But we're coming off a bad year. I think the way to build a roster from there is to admit that you are unlikely to land the elite kids, so you stay focused on all 6 kids, and take a commit from any of them, even if it is the 5th and 6th kids. Now you recruit the top of your board for the rest of the year at every position and take who you can based on your needs. Too often we aim for 1 and 2, and end up with 10 and 12.


Again, IMO, this is why we end up with plan C, instead of plan B+.

And I firmly believe this is what the staff is preparing to do. That is why they have actively communicated with around a dozen DB's that don't have offers, along with the ones that do. They've also received visits from some of those players, Hallett, Birdsong, Hampton, etc. They will also turnaround and visit them, or already have since Spring practice is done.

This is called the Spring "Evaluation" period. They go to schools and continue to evaluate who they want to pursue. Because we are impatient fans, we decided that they aren't doing enough because we don't have 4 DB's committed right now? The point of contention isn't the strategy, its that even if that strategy is the route you are taking, you still have to have time to evaluate those players. Who's a better fit Johnson, Hallet, Hampton, or Birdsong? I don't know, but I'd sure like the staff to take the spring to figure that out. Considering it's literally what that time is for.

This is the time of year where even the HS's coordinate viewings of their players. Hence DJ running a 40 and working out for a few schools today. These are coordinated efforts by all parties to get their players viewings, again Spring Evaluation Period. So, why would we make all these decisions on who we should offer and who we shouldn't, prior to this process? The answer is we shouldn't, nor do we need to. Watch every single one of these guys, if possible, and then circle back around with a coordinated effort. Like I said before, it's freaking May 3rd. If we are having this same conversation in October, I'll more than likely concede that we need to turn it up a notch.

 

[Domina Nostra]

And I firmly believe this is what the staff is preparing to do. That is why they have actively communicated with around a dozen DB's that don't have offers, along with the ones that do. They've also received visits from some of those players, Hallett, Birdsong, Hampton, etc. They will also turnaround and visit them, or already have since Spring practice is done.

This is called the Spring "Evaluation" period. They go to schools and continue to evaluate who they want to pursue. Because we are impatient fans, we decided that they aren't doing enough because we don't have 4 DB's committed right now? The point of contention isn't the strategy, its that even if that strategy is the route you are taking, you still have to have time to evaluate those players. Who's a better fit Johnson, Hallet, Hampton, or Birdsong? I don't know, but I'd sure like the staff to take the spring to figure that out. Considering it's literally what that time is for.

This is the time of year where even the HS's coordinate viewings of their players. Hence DJ running a 40 and working out for a few schools today. These are coordinated efforts by all parties to get their players viewings, again Spring Evaluation Period. So, why would we make all these decisions on who we should offer and who we shouldn't, prior to this process? The answer is we shouldn't, nor do we need to. Watch every single one of these guys, if possible, and then circle back around with a coordinated effort. Like I said before, it's freaking May 3rd. If we are having this same conversation in October, I'll more than likely concede that we need to turn it up a notch.

All good points, although May 3rd isn't what it used to be. Things are accelerating in terms of relationship building.

 

[NDMIA]

Also the chances we get a big time recruit with them visiting only for one official visit in the fall is extremely low these days with how accelerated recruiting has become. My point is getting the plan B+ into the fold and then going after the top ten guys on your board this summer begging them to come look at ND once, twice, or ten times like Griffith before OV season begins. If Polian can get a few of those Cali kids to visit this summer we might have some fireworks this fall on OVs. And that's not to say recruits don't visit a place once and commit (Lenzy) but it seems more likely that they do so after a few visits.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Also the chances we get a big time recruit with them visiting only for one official visit in the fall is extremely low these days with how accelerated recruiting has become. My point is getting the plan B+ into the fold and then going after the top ten guys on your board this summer begging them to come look at ND once, twice, or ten times like Griffith before OV season begins. If Polian can get a few of those Cali kids to visit this summer we might have some fireworks this fall on OVs. And that's not to say recruits don't visit a place once and commit (Lenzy) but it seems more likely that they do so after a few visits.

Yup. THEORY TIME: If Notre Dame wants its football team to be generally compatible with the academic and social/religious nature of the school, it just can't recruit like Ohio State and Alabama. I hate to say it--and it could be aided by PEDS--but the Stanford/Harbaugh model is the way to go:

Recruit tough, hard-working kids who are a good fit for your schools. Play TOUGH, MEAN, SMART football. Once you start winning, the big fish will come on their own. Give me your Theo Riddicks, your Danny Sponds, and your Kapron Lewis Morres. I'll take some Drew Tranquils, T.J. Jones, James Onuwalus, and Sheldon Day. Now if that kind of team attracts a Manti T'eo, Michael Floyd, Kyle Rudolph, and a Stphon Tuitt, so be it. But lock up those other kids first. (The exception is O-Line. ND needs a great O-LIne and should have no trouble recruiting them.) If you can win with Kevin Hogan, its the system, not the talent.

I thought this was the direction ND was going--despite popular perception and the Ls, Stanford hasn't really out-toughed ND in the Kelly era. Its been all close games since Luck left. Kelly was actually known known for 4th quarters victories up until last year. But things definitely got WAY, WAY off track with BVG, which I think trickled into the rest of the program.