• Athletic Evaluation – Strengths: An agile defensive back with solid fundamentals in coverage. Johnny has quick feet and fluid hips, which enable him to mirror receivers effectively in man coverage. He transitions well out of his backpedal and shows good instincts jumping routes – evidenced by several pass breakups he notched during the season. At ~5′10″, 170 lbs., he possesses decent size for a high school corner/safety and isn’t afraid to come up and hit. He’s a reliable open-field tackler and has the versatility to play both cornerback and safety roles as needed by the defense.
• Athletic Evaluation – Weaknesses/Areas for Improvement: While good in many areas, he hasn’t yet demonstrated elite top-end speed or ball-hawking production (no interceptions recorded in 2024). Gaining an extra gear of speed would help him recover on deep routes and make more plays on the ball in air. Additionally, adding strength will improve his ability to jam receivers at the line and fight through blocks – continued weight training will be important as he prepares for college-level physicality.
• Athletic Evaluation – Position-Specific Skills: As a defensive back, Johnny’s strength is in coverage technique – he maintains tight coverage and has a knack for reading the quarterback’s eyes in zone schemes. He communicates well with fellow DBs, helping to direct coverage assignments (showing a safety’s mindset even when at corner). He’s also a dependable special teams player, often one of the first downfield on kick coverage due to his acceleration and tackling ability. Overall, he brings a balanced skill set with no glaring holes, making him a steady presence in the secondary.
• Athletic Evaluation – Game Performance: Throughout the 2024 season, Johnny provided steady play and occasionally flashed big moments. He had games where his name might not appear often in box scores, but that’s partly because quarterbacks tended to avoid throwing in his direction when he blanketed his man. In the CIF quarterfinal game against Highland, for instance, he tallied 7 tackles and a pass deflection, showing his ability to step up against quality competition. He proved to be dependable – rarely penalized and rarely beaten over the top – and his contributions in coverage helped the Bulldogs’ pass defense significantly.
• Athletic Evaluation – College Potential Projection: Johnny projects as a solid contributor at the collegiate level, likely for a Division II or III program, or as a walk-on candidate for FCS teams. His well-rounded technique and football IQ could make him a valuable depth piece in a college secondary, with potential to develop into a starter as he adds physical maturity. He may not have the measurables that jump off the page, but college coaches will like that he’s fundamentally sound and can play multiple positions in the defensive backfield. With strong special teams ability, he could carve out a role and earn a scholarship at the next level.
• Character & Intangibles – Work Ethic and Dedication: Johnny is known for his consistency and effort. He shows up to practice early to get extra reps on footwork and stays after to work on catching drills (trying to turn those pass breakups into interceptions). His coaches commend his dedication to improving – he’s the type to volunteer for scout team reps just to get more live looks. Academically, he keeps his grades up, indicating good time management and personal discipline.
• Character & Intangibles – Leadership Qualities: As a junior, Johnny is growing into a leadership role in the secondary. He’s not overly vocal, but he’s become more comfortable directing teammates on coverage checks and offering pointers to younger defensive backs. He leads by example with his calm demeanor and preparedness – teammates have noted that he’s always studying the playbook or film, which quietly sets a standard. During games, he’s composed and helps settle the defense when things get chaotic.
• Character & Intangibles – Coachability: Highly coachable. Johnny responds extremely well to coaching – if a technique adjustment is needed, he implements it immediately. Earlier in the season, coaches asked him to be more aggressive contesting catches, and he took that to heart, increasing his pass deflections as the season went on. He’s also versatile largely because he’s embraced every role coaches have given him (corner, safety, special teams gunner) with a team-first attitude and willingness to learn the nuances of each.
• Character & Intangibles – Mental Toughness: Johnny has a short memory on the field, which is crucial for a DB. If he ever gets beat on a play, he doesn’t dwell on it – he lines up the next snap with full confidence. He handled the pressure of tight games well; for example, in the rivalry game against Burroughs he successfully defended multiple deep passes in the fourth quarter without getting flustered. He’s mentally resilient, maintains focus through adversity, and prides himself on being clutch when it counts.
• Character & Intangibles – Character and Attitude: He’s regarded as a positive, team-oriented young man. Johnny treats coaches and teammates with respect and brings a quietly competitive attitude every day. He’s not about individual glory – his celebrations are always mild and he’s the first to congratulate a teammate on a good play. Off the field, he’s polite and represents the program well. His integrity (both in following team rules and playing clean, fair football) is of high caliber, making him someone coaches trust wholeheartedly.