Hello: JD Johnson 2020 QB
December 21st, 2018 at 10:24 AM ^
Good get!
For the stargazers:
- JD has been behind a 5 star '19 going to Oklahoma (who might be why Fields is looking at OSU first) so he hasn't gotten to play much yet
- Michigan is probably gonna take two QBs in '20
December 21st, 2018 at 10:26 AM ^
The Rattler context is important here.
December 21st, 2018 at 10:34 AM ^
Sort of, DTR (the QB recruit we lost out on to UCLA) was a 4 star and highly rated QB despite sitting behind Tate Martell. Its an obvious backup plan after Harrison Bailey to make sure they get at least one QB in the class but they are going to try to recruit over him for a reason.
December 21st, 2018 at 10:52 AM ^
It wasn’t like DTR was on the bench he was a starting wide receiver for the team who had an impressive year or two there before becoming the starting Quarterback
December 21st, 2018 at 11:38 AM ^
DTR had 8 receiving TDs and 6 rushing TDs so yeah he was pretty productive and probably could have gotten a P5 scholarship as a WR.
December 21st, 2018 at 10:32 AM ^
"...so he hasn't gotten to play much yet" Oh, so we offered a totally inexperienced project quarterback that we are unsure can actually perform in a game? Thanks, you're making me feel a ton better... :-D
December 21st, 2018 at 10:34 AM ^
Ha I could even be wrong on that!
I don't know enough about desert football to say this for sure but I'd guess they blew out a lot of the tumbleweed teams they played.
December 21st, 2018 at 10:34 AM ^
O/U on number of users who think you're being totally serious?
December 21st, 2018 at 10:54 AM ^
Nobody believed Bill when he said that Georgie's arm had been eaten off by a sewer clown either.
December 21st, 2018 at 10:35 AM ^
That described Dorian Thompson-Robinson, too.
December 21st, 2018 at 10:33 AM ^
We've heard UM is going to take two QB's every year for the past few years and then they never do. Also I'm not sure why him sitting on the bench should make anyone feel better.
December 21st, 2018 at 11:53 AM ^
The only year I believe Harbaugh took one lower ranked QB (according to the recruiting services/247 composite) was the year Milton signed. They had two committed but let the other kid go and didn't recruit a second QB because they loved Milton that much. Most years they have got one of the top 2 or 3 guys they wanted, and I don't think they would have accepted this commitment this early from a QB if he was #10 or #15 on their QB board.
Let's say this kid turns out to be nothing better than a 3* or at least never gets the 4* bump. Michigan actively recruits two QB's almost every year until they are happy with what they have, and usually in the end it balances itself out and one commits somewhere else. Other than the 2019 class, this has been a very common trend with Harbaugh QB recruiting. THAT BEING SAID, after all your complaints about Charbonnet and all these other kids that committed prior to their senior seasons (and in turn jumped to 4*'s or received high major offers from other big time programs), I would think that eventually you would realize that recruiting rankings prior to even the Spring/Summer camps are not even close to final. Why you look at the 2020 class rankings as so conclusive at this stage in the cycle is mind-blowing.
December 21st, 2018 at 10:34 AM ^
Why do you think we'll take 2 QBs? Because BP is a likely transfer and Shea will graduate?
December 21st, 2018 at 10:36 AM ^
Harbaugh has to manage his processing closely. He plans to process a QB each year...
December 21st, 2018 at 11:22 AM ^
He's a tool, but this argument does have merit.
We d
*did* hear that Harbaugh planned on having multiple WB recruits. Links suck on mobile, but Google the hello posts for last 3 qbs.
December 21st, 2018 at 10:38 AM ^
That plus believe Sam has said as much. Even if BP stays this year (which would be cool because 2020 murder QB derby) and works out you have to figure one of 5th year BP or 4th year DCaf grad transfers.
They were going to take two in '18 but then got comfortable enough with Milton to send the other guy away, so that could happen too.
December 21st, 2018 at 10:47 AM ^
IIRC, many programs follow the 2 QB's per recruiting cycle as a practice. Similar to how I like to order two meximelts at Taco Bell during each visit.
December 21st, 2018 at 11:04 AM ^
I get one Nachos Supreme and one Mexican pizza. I know they consist of exactly the same substances, I just like eating something randomly assembled and something put together in a more orderly fashion.
December 21st, 2018 at 3:58 PM ^
My crew had a saying: "Start with a Meximelt, end with a Meximelt."
December 21st, 2018 at 10:54 AM ^
Since Carr left, the Wolverines have taken 2 QBs exactly twice (scholarship QBs), and calling them QBs is a stretch. 2015, Harbaugh's first class (14 recruits): Malzone and Gentry (who they probably already had an idea of a position switch). They probably would have taken 5 QBs that year to fill the class. In 2009 they took Denard and Forcier. I'm willing to bet they intended Forcier to be the QB and Denard to be an all-purpose threat. That's opposed to the 2 times that NO QB was taken (2008 and 2012). You could argue that 2011 fits that bill also, as I don't think anyone expected Bellomy to end up a Big 10 QB. I know both Milton and Doyle were committed for a long time last year, but not many people expected both to end up in the class. I think the days of a major program landing 2 top HS QBs in the same class are over. There are just too many options for QBs. I don't think you'll be able to guard against QB attrition by stashing multiple QB classes. Your best bet is to recruit one every year, and try to get them to stick around as long as possible. I'm not saying Michigan won't get another QB commit over the next year, but the likelihood of both of them signing are long, especially if the class is under 20, which is most likely the case.
December 21st, 2018 at 11:08 AM ^
If you factor in Patterson, Michigan kind of took two last year.
December 21st, 2018 at 10:32 AM ^
Here's his Junior year highlights. Definitely looks like a solid QB prospect. Has a pretty effortless release and puts a lot these balls on the money. He's also somewhat mobile for a pro style guy of his size
EDIT: This is also just a small sample size since he only got the starting job after 2019 #1 QB Spencer Rattler was ruled ineligible
December 21st, 2018 at 10:34 AM ^
6’4 and runs a 4.7 40. Not bad.
December 21st, 2018 at 10:59 AM ^
having watched both, he seems to have improved from his sophomore season in terms of getting the ball out quicker and anticipating his receivers being open.
December 21st, 2018 at 10:35 AM ^
I hope he's a stud QB..... It'll be great cheering for JDJ.... Too bad he won't be around to throw to DPJ, the initial connection.
December 21st, 2018 at 10:44 AM ^
Interestingly enough he tagged Pep in the post, for those who think he may be on his way out.
December 21st, 2018 at 10:55 AM ^
I think it's going to be somewhat hard to move Pep. I think he may be the highest paid offensive assistant (*college) in the country.
December 21st, 2018 at 11:09 AM ^
Of course it's going to be hard to move him. He makes $1.5 million dollars a year and his offense doesn't show up in rivalry games.
December 21st, 2018 at 12:15 PM ^
Your mom shows up for rivalry games
December 21st, 2018 at 11:50 AM ^
I'd like to think its not moving him... and it's a more of a firing him. If Harbaugh truly did not want him to be here I don't think it would/should require someone else paying him $1.5mm to come there.
It is possible that Harbaugh truly just wants Pep on his staff.
December 21st, 2018 at 12:08 PM ^
Well, Pep is an amazing recruiter and our passing offense does look dynamic... oh wait, neither of those are true.
December 21st, 2018 at 1:11 PM ^
Drevno also had a $1M contract and they were able to (re)move him with 3 years left. No idea what the buyout amount was, but Drevno was getting a basic assistant pay at USC.
December 21st, 2018 at 2:04 PM ^
Exactly - If Jim wanted Pep gone, he would be gone.
December 21st, 2018 at 10:45 AM ^
Welcome JD, way to GoBlue!
December 21st, 2018 at 10:46 AM ^
But how is his handing-off and pitching game?
/s
December 21st, 2018 at 10:46 AM ^
Wow, love his film and size. This kid has a great arm. No idea why he'd be ranked so low, he has everything you want. I have zero doubt that he''' be at least a mid 4 star once the services look at him again.
This is a great, not a good, but a great get!
December 21st, 2018 at 10:55 AM ^
He's ranked so low because he's been sitting behind 2019 #1 QB Spencer Rattler and only got the starting job at the end of this season after Rattler was ruled ineligible. But I agree, he definitely passes the eye test and looks like he should be ranked higher
December 21st, 2018 at 1:46 PM ^
Sam has a welcome article out on 247.
Johnson replaced Rattler after an injury in game 2 and won 2 games before Rattler came back. Then won 2 regular season games and 2 playoff games before getting blown out in the state semi-final.
His stats for those 7 games: 123/194 = 63.4% for 2004 yds & 17 TDs.
Not bad for sitting behind the n°1 rated QB in the country. I know it's Arizona football, but Rattler played in the same league.
https://247sports.com/Article/Michigan-football-recruiting-2020-Phoenix…
December 21st, 2018 at 11:51 AM ^
He’s in Arizona (not a scouting hotbed) and he spent his high school career so far behind Spencer Rattler. So it’s pretty safe to say that as far as the recruiting services are concerned, he’s a big question mark
December 21st, 2018 at 10:50 AM ^
My semi-trained eye caught something that needs to be cleaned up at the college level: On the majority of the snaps I watched, on the plays that were passes with no play action, Johnson is taking a half step back or leaning backwards as soon as the ball is snapped. On play action passes or designed Run-Action type plays this was not present.
If it is an empty set formation this isn't a huge deal, but he will need to get that fixed since Michigan rarely goes empty.
December 21st, 2018 at 11:02 AM ^
HASKINS HAS A TELL!!!
December 21st, 2018 at 10:51 AM ^
Given the number of players in this range who rose into 4-star types after they committed in this past class, I'd have to imagine we will see a bump in his rankings.
December 21st, 2018 at 10:53 AM ^
Sixteen years old...let's make sure we spotlight all his current faults!!! (Yes there are things to clean up...did I mention that he is 16 years old???)
There are many excellent reasons to be excited about this young man. He stands tall in the pocket, has good pocket presence and throws well in the face of pressure. He already has good arm strength. He has good mobility and throws very well on the run. He is already finding secondary reads!
I have not seen him interviewed. Here, nobody is Cade McNamara...but I am guessing Jim Harbaugh likes what he sees and hears.
And do not forget, there are some other elite prospects in this class-in his back yard :)
Welcome JD. Put that recruiting hat on and own this place!!!
December 21st, 2018 at 12:10 PM ^
Excellent catch, Ransom, Ringo, Robinson would be gRRReat.
Best part about year 4 in recruiting is Harbaugh and the staff have known these kids, whether commit or prospect, for 2 or 3 years before signing day hits. Increases chances that they have the right "fit" regardless the rank.
December 21st, 2018 at 11:17 AM ^
It's funny how every commit has "good film" and is "under ranked" by the recruiting services. His offer list and highlight tape look exactly like what I would expect a 3 star to look like. He has a weird arm slot on his throws and not a lot of zip on his passes. After taking more of a developmental QB in last year I was hoping UM would get a more ready made guy this year.
December 21st, 2018 at 11:19 AM ^
Holy crap are you back already??
December 21st, 2018 at 11:27 AM ^
What is really strange is someone criticizing a 16 year old kid about having a "weird arm slot". Really!!!
I am positive that Michigan is recruiting Butterfield with due diligence.
December 21st, 2018 at 11:35 AM ^
It's funny how every commit who is a 3 star has someone like you commenting in their commit post about why they are only a 3 star. Are you a professional talent scout? Have you looked into why this kid doesn't have much film yet? Your opinion is poor and there is a lot of time for him to improve and for the recruiting landscape to change before 2020.
December 21st, 2018 at 11:44 AM ^
And it's funny how defensive people like you are when someone says something that threatens your worldview. No I'm not a scout and neither are you, but that shouldn't preclude either of us from having an opinion. The difference is I can share mine without personally insulting other posters. You should give it a try sometime.
December 21st, 2018 at 12:00 PM ^
Oh I'm sorry did I personally insult you? I shared my opinion that I thought yours sucked. You should try not to be so sensitive on the internet.