Class of 2019 QB Sam Johnson III (MI) to Boston College

[CuseLegacy]

 

[CuseLegacy]

 

[CuseLegacy]

https://michiganpreps./content.asp?CID=1763389

Sam Johnson III becomes first 8th-grader ever in Michigan to earn an offer

Branden Hunter
MichiganPreps.com Staff Writer

Southfield (Mich.) 2019 QB Sam Johnson III.
Think about what you were doing in the eighth-grade. Maybe preparing for the junior prom, or deciding on which high school you wanted to attend? Not Samuel Johnson III of Detroit. They call Johnson "The Future" and he is already looking towards that, earning his first college football scholarship from Akron.

Johnson said he was offered by the head man himself, Akron head coach, Terry Bowden, who also wanted to send a message to one of Johnson's instate schools, that they were the first to jump all the way into his recruitment.

"I actually called them to find out when their camp was," said Johnson. "He had already knew about me from watching my film. And then he said he wanted me to call Coach Wheatley from Michigan, and tell him that Akron football was the first one to offer you.

"At that point I was excited, and I couldn't believe it. I was speechless."

Johnson's name has been on the recruiting scene for a couple of years now, and is regarded as one of the top players in the country for 2019, so the early offer truly comes as no surprise, especially in today's world of recruiting. Prospects are getting evaluated younger and younger, and Johnson, who will play his football at Southfield High, also made history, becoming the first middle-schooler ever to receive a football offer in the state of Michigan. Quite the accomplishment for any kid his age,

"It actually feels good to be offered as an eighth-grader," Johnson said. "I work hard, and that was all that I had been waiting on. And to also be a starter on varsity is big too. It's a lot to to, but I just want to keep working at it, and try to get more."

The Big Ten's heavy-hitters, Ohio State, Michigan State, and Michigan have already gotten involved in Johnson's recruitment as well, and should earn offers from those programs as well. Johnson isn't your average eighth-grade football player, and will be deemed a national recruit whenever his class rankings are released in a few years.

So who is Sam Johnson III?

Well, he already stands 6-3, and weighs 175-pounds, so the physical aspect of his game is there. But he has more than enough game to match, and when I tell you Johnson is impressive in person, believe it. His size, mechanics, and decision making are far more superior to other quarterbacks his age, and he his already a proven winner. His little league team, the Detroit Spartans, won the Detroit P.A.L. (Police Athletic League) football title at Ford Field earlier this year, with Johnson throwing the game-winning touchdown pass. This is only the beginning for Johnson, and his coaches believe the sky is the limit for the young prodigy.

"For him to be the first eighth-grader from the state of Michigan to get an offer, I definitely think that's major," said Kevin Rogers, who is Johnson's quarterback back coach and offensive coordinator for the Spartans. "I knew it was coming, but I just didn't know when it was coming.

"Sam has made leaps and bounds since I first started working with him at 10-years-old. He could barely walk then, and now he's invincible on the football field. His career can go as far as he wants it to go, on and off the field. If he wants to go to the NFL, he can go. If he wants to be a brain surgeon, he can be one."

True success doesn't come without a devoted work ethic, even for a someone who has even sat in a high school classroom yet. Sure, Johnson does what normal kids his age do for fun, but his fun is also on the football field, and perfecting is craft. Throwing the football with his coaches at Quarterback University, or working out with high school players, and sometimes even college players, has become apart of a daily routine for Johnson, and the results are showing.

"I work out just about every day, said Johnson. "I've been working with Donovan Dooley and Kevin Rogers of QBU since I was 10, and they taught me a lot. They're such good coaches, and they've taken me everywhere, which has gotten me a lot of experience, so I want to thank them."

"His work ethic is crazy, and this offer is a true testament to how hard he works," said Rogers. "He's 24/7, 365 all football, on the field, in the weight-room, and in the classroom. He takes it all serious."

Even with all of his early success, Johnson is a humble kid, and the word "work" might be his favorite to use. He understands that this is just the beginning, and the best is yet to come. Southfield opens the season on August 28 against Detroit Cass Tech, which will be a true test for Johnson, who is more than ready. But first he has to enroll in high school.

 

[CuseLegacy]

Offers include BGSU, Akron, Cincy, Ohio U, Temple, Syracuse

 

[CuseLegacy]

 

[rackman18]

Are you serious, Like we will have any chance especially when another two years comes and he becomes nationally ranked. I guess you never unless you put your name in the hat, still it will be a hugh challenge.

 

[PAcuse]

Are you serious, Like we will have any chance especially when another two years comes and he becomes nationally ranked. I guess you never unless you put your name in the hat, still it will be a hugh challenge.

In 2 years we could have the top offense in the nation, why not offer? Seems dumb not to offer...

 

[721Comstock]

In 2 years we could have the top offense in the nation, why not offer? Seems dumb not to offer...

All the shots you don't take, don't go in.
- Russ Smith, probably.

(ok, it's "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take", by The Great One)

If you don't ask, you don't get. Why not offer?

 

[rackman18]

I hope we get a good QB now to get the ball to the good recruits we are getting here this year. I do believe we are going to get a couple outstanding wrs. " hopefully Fitzpatrick and Cooper and there a few more in this year bunch. Add Ishmail to just them and you have a Allstar recieving corp.

 

[007]

I hope we get a good QB now to get the ball to the good recruits we are getting here this year. I do believe we are going to get a couple outstanding wrs. " hopefully Fitzpatrick and Cooper and there a few more in this year bunch. Add Ishmail to just them and you have a Allstar recieving corp.

OT, but any chance you own a Delorean, rackman?

 

[rackman18]

OT, but any chance you own a Delorean, rackman?

OT, but any chance you own a Delorean, rackman?

Funny you ask that, why? lol

 

[CuseLegacy]

Are you serious, Like we will have any chance especially when another two years comes and he becomes nationally ranked. I guess you never unless you put your name in the hat, still it will be a hugh challenge.

Sometimes when staffs start offering the next class you will see them offer the kids that everyone wants and offers. Shafer did this too. It never hurts to offer.

 

[007]

Funny you ask that, why? lol

No real reason, just playing. Your enthusiasm makes me smile. So...it's a no on the Dolerean?

 

[cuseincincy]

As the parent of class of 2016 and 2018 players I find this humorous. The kid may end up good, no doubt, if he keeps developing. I think back to my oldest sons 8th grade team that dominated the league and we had 2 players that were much better than anyone else put on the field. Our QB was 6'1" 170lbs or so and lightning fast with a rocket arm. Our TB was about 5'9" 180 lbs with OK peed but could not be tackled, defenders bounced off of him like pinballs. Oh boy was our/their future bright. Fast forward 4 years...the QB ended up a 6'1" 175 lb TB that didn't start until his senior year. He was still fast but soft and brittle, he's a very good swimmer. Our TB from 8th grade ended up a 5'9" 180 lb backup LB. Neither of them developed much physically after 8th grade. That is really just too early to know how a kid will develop. Same thing could have happened to my son but apparently his mother fed him too much as he's ended up a 6'6" 280 lb that finally as a senior was able to shed the awkward growing too fast stage. A little too late for serious football aspirations. He has several D2 schools recruiting him and one D1 school "looking at him." Coincidentally one of the schools that has offered Sam Johnson! He's deciding whether he wants to play football at a small school or go to a big school and not play. I had pretty much the same decision and chose the big school, thought about walking on but didn't. My son is a lot bigger and better than I was. Personally I think he is MAC good but no higher. He's better than other kids from our school that went to MAC schools. I wish this kid the best but also hope he is able to enjoy his HS years also.

 

[orangefog]

As the parent of class of 2016 and 2018 players I find this humorous. The kid may end up good, no doubt, if he keeps developing. I think back to my oldest sons 8th grade team that dominated the league and we had 2 players that were much better than anyone else put on the field. Our QB was 6'1" 170lbs or so and lightning fast with a rocket arm. Our TB was about 5'9" 180 lbs with OK peed but could not be tackled, defenders bounced off of him like pinballs. Oh boy was our/their future bright. Fast forward 4 years...the QB ended up a 6'1" 175 lb TB that didn't start until his senior year. He was still fast but soft and brittle, he's a very good swimmer. Our TB from 8th grade ended up a 5'9" 180 lb backup LB. Neither of them developed much physically after 8th grade. That is really just too early to know how a kid will develop. Same thing could have happened to my son but apparently his mother fed him too much as he's ended up a 6'6" 280 lb that finally as a senior was able to shed the awkward growing too fast stage. A little too late for serious football aspirations. He has several D2 schools recruiting him and one D1 school "looking at him." Coincidentally one of the schools that has offered Sam Johnson! He's deciding whether he wants to play football at a small school or go to a big school and not play. I had pretty much the same decision and chose the big school, thought about walking on but didn't. My son is a lot bigger and better than I was. Personally I think he is MAC good but no higher. He's better than other kids from our school that went to MAC schools. I wish this kid the best but also hope he is able to enjoy his HS years also.

Good luck to your son, I hope whichever path he chooses, he has no regrets.

 

[TheCusian]

As the parent of class of 2016 and 2018 players I find this humorous. The kid may end up good, no doubt, if he keeps developing. I think back to my oldest sons 8th grade team that dominated the league and we had 2 players that were much better than anyone else put on the field. Our QB was 6'1" 170lbs or so and lightning fast with a rocket arm. Our TB was about 5'9" 180 lbs with OK peed but could not be tackled, defenders bounced off of him like pinballs. Oh boy was our/their future bright. Fast forward 4 years...the QB ended up a 6'1" 175 lb TB that didn't start until his senior year. He was still fast but soft and brittle, he's a very good swimmer. Our TB from 8th grade ended up a 5'9" 180 lb backup LB. Neither of them developed much physically after 8th grade. That is really just too early to know how a kid will develop. Same thing could have happened to my son but apparently his mother fed him too much as he's ended up a 6'6" 280 lb that finally as a senior was able to shed the awkward growing too fast stage. A little too late for serious football aspirations. He has several D2 schools recruiting him and one D1 school "looking at him." Coincidentally one of the schools that has offered Sam Johnson! He's deciding whether he wants to play football at a small school or go to a big school and not play. I had pretty much the same decision and chose the big school, thought about walking on but didn't. My son is a lot bigger and better than I was. Personally I think he is MAC good but no higher. He's better than other kids from our school that went to MAC schools. I wish this kid the best but also hope he is able to enjoy his HS years also.

Depends on why the offers are coming. I doubt it's just his size (though he won't shrink).

If it's accuracy, reading the field type stuff?

 

[orangefog]

Depends on why the offers are coming. I doubt it's just his size (though he won't shrink).

If it's accuracy, reading the field type stuff?

I watched a workout video of his from when he was in 8th grade. I have no idea how to evaluate a quarterback. But, they were working on his footwork and drops. His long ball looked a little wobbly to me, but the kid is tall, a little lean, but he looked decent. There must be something special about him. Then again, what is the risk? If he turns out to be the top quarterback in his class, we were in on him early. If he flops, then we move along.

 

[CuseLegacy]

 

[CuseLegacy]

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

All the shots you don't take, don't go in.
- Russ Smith, probably.

(ok, it's "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take", by The Great One)

If you don't ask, you don't get. Why not offer?

Actually, the Great One's dad.

 

[qdawgg]

Are you serious, Like we will have any chance especially when another two years comes and he becomes nationally ranked. I guess you never unless you put your name in the hat, still it will be a hugh challenge.

Now that you've been posting more since this comment. ????. Every single player we offer you like and before signing day, all we needed to do was try harder to get a commit. But we shouldn't offer this player???? Off day when you posted this?

 

[rackman18]

Now that you've been posting more since this comment. ????. Every single player we offer you like and before signing day, all we needed to do was try harder to get a commit. But we shouldn't offer this player???? Off day when you posted this?

Ya, sure was. A good point.

 

[rocklloyd]

Is the Kevin Rogers in the article "our" Kevin Rogers?

 

[SUFan44]

The key point to me is that he says he'll be attending SU camp. That is huge, if it happens.

 

[rrlbees]

Is the Kevin Rogers in the article "our" Kevin Rogers?

It could be his son who's been an NFL scout out at Indy before. Not sure where he is now though. Dad is the OC for his alma mater, William & Mary.