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As early signing day is now just weeks away, I want to give Canes fans an in-depth look at the players committed to Miami for this 2021 class.
Last week I started these profile pieces with Deshawn Troutman, so moving on down the list for linebackers, the next Canes commit I’m talking about today is Tyler Johnson out of Miami Killian High School.
In case you didn’t know, Tyler is the younger brother of former UM standout, safety Jaquan Johnson, and there couldn’t be a better older brother to look up to than Jaquan.
.@CanesFootball DB Jaquan Johnson came up with a MASSIVE pick six in Miami's big win today. #MustSeeACC pic.twitter.com/KQP3teA15p
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) November 18, 2017
247 Sports has Johnson listed as a 4-star prospect, #20 outside linebacker in the 2021 class, and #41 overall player in the state of Florida.
Johnson verbally committed to Miami in the summer of 2019, and has stuck with his hometown Hurricanes ever since.
To be perfectly honest with you, I didn’t know much about Johnson, except who his older brother is, up until recently. Perhaps that had to do that he’s been committed to Miami for over a year now, and didn’t receive the kind of publicity that a recruit like Leonard Taylor or James Williams did. But after watching his tape and studying his game, I think he could go down as one of the biggest steals of this 2021 class for Miami.
Tyler Johnson, a 2021 Miami commit and Jaquan Johnson's younger brother, with a big fourth-down sack for South Dade. pic.twitter.com/kvQH9MUaOs
— David Wilson (@DBWilson2) October 25, 2019
Playing for South Dade as a junior in 2019, Johnson registered 36 tackles, 4 sacks and an interception, and was recognized as first-team by the Miami Herald. Labeled as a linebacker, Johnson played mostly as a stand-up rusher.
Tyler Johnson is another commit who people don’t talk about as much, but who’s incredibly talented, with a high ceiling. Good speed coming off the edge, and is a sound tackler. Explosive first step. Criminally underrated
— Marsh (@hurricanesmarsh) November 25, 2020
However, in May, Johnson announced that he’d be transferring schools for his senior season, switching to Killian.
Canes 2021 Commit and Jaquan Johnson brother Tyler Johnson transfers you Killian leaving South Dade.. the 4 star LB/DE looks to work at LB a lot more this upcoming season... #Caneville
— Caneville (@caneville305) March 19, 2020
When watching film on Johnson, it’s pretty clear that he excels coming off the edge as a pass-rusher. He has a very explosive first step, and his instincts allow him to time to the snap incredibly well. Instincts is perhaps the quality that Jaquan and Tyler have the most in common on the football field.
He’s a natural at blitzing the quarterback, and while he’s more on the thin side for a linebacker/edge-rusher (200 pounds on 247 Sports), Johnson possesses exceptional power to go along with his speed.
This is 4-star Miami LB commit Tyler Johnson out of Killian. The younger brother of former UM S Jaquan Johnson. pic.twitter.com/zEA5oUlUXN
— Gaboowins (@GabyUrrutia22) October 14, 2020
Speed and quickness is definitely a trend in the 2021 Miami linebackers. When you look at Johnson and Troutman, you can tell Manny Diaz wants faster players at that position.
Some Thursday night football in Miami. Hurricanes commit Tyler Johnson and Killian taking on Norland at Traz. pic.twitter.com/Ci8kRUKgiS
— David Wilson (@DBWilson2) October 29, 2020
When defending the run, Johnson has proven that he’s a sound tackler, and it’s very rare to see him get hooked or have the opposing offense run outside on him.
Miami 2021 commit Tyler Johnson, Jaquan’s brother, with the hit at the end of this play. pic.twitter.com/7Ryj7ZoHpu
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) September 13, 2019
Johnson is projected to be a linebacker when he gets to Miami, so the biggest thing for Tyler is putting on the size necessary for a player at that position in big time college football. However, Johnson is the type of prospect that Miami will try and get up to perhaps 225 pounds, without him losing the speed that makes him such a threat on defense.
Miami commit Tyler Johnson with a big sack off a spin move. pic.twitter.com/eCZhCkJbXm
— David Wilson (@DBWilson2) October 30, 2020
Similar to Troutman, Johnson is a player that will benefit greatly from David Feeley’s strength and conditioning program at Miami.
Tyler Johnson stuffs Fernando Mendoza to force a fourth down. #CPride pic.twitter.com/NRJD0ZUUhX
— CCNN Live (@CCNNLive) October 24, 2020
As far as player comparisons for Johnson, I’ve seen several say that he reminds people of current Miami linebacker Sam Brooks Jr. Brooks led Miami-Dade in sacks one season while playing for Northwestern High School, before switching to inside linebacker once he got to UM.
We just got better. Sam Brooks commits to Miami. Similar player to Patrick Joyner. Linebacker/edge rusher who helps fill a major position of need for the 2019 class. #Surge19
— Matthew Suero (@Matthew_Suero) March 4, 2018
All in all, Johnson strikes me as a future starter on Miami’s defense, after a couple years of development with coach Feeley in the weight room. If everything goes to plan in that aspect, I think Tyler has all the tools to follow in his big brothers footsteps at Miami as a force on defense.