Sixth in a sequence of tales profiling prime highschool soccer gamers by place. At present, Mikhal Johnson, Sierra Canyon defensive lineman.
Mikhal Johnson, 6 ft 2 and 255 kilos, has performed protection all his soccer life. Then got here the second final season when Sierra Canyon coach Jon Ellinghouse gave him an opportunity to catch a go from quarterback Wyatt Becker in a Mission League championship sport towards Gardena Serra.
Johnson referred to as it “one thing out of a film.”
“We practiced it a pair occasions through the week,” Johnson mentioned. “Coach referred to as me over, ‘We’re operating the play.’ I lined up at tight finish. I did a faux block. I’m going out, no person is guarding me. That is it. Wyatt throws me the ball over my shoulder. I catch it. It was like, ‘Sure.’ I used to be so excited. My first ever landing the primary time I performed a ability place in my life.”
Nothing comes as a shock for Johnson, who additionally had a baseball sport within the spring during which he hit two dwelling runs and had seven RBIs towards Camarillo.
Ivy League soccer faculties have been lining up attempting to get him to contemplate their expertise of teachers and athletics. He had 16 tackles for losses final season.
“I believe he’s nearly unblockable,” Ellinghouse mentioned. “I’ve seen him screw up a number of of my practices and go up towards some the perfect highschool gamers on this planet. He’s an ideal mixture of power and twitchiness. He has lengthy arms and misleading power.”
Johnson is certainly one of many excellent defensive linemen and edge rushers set to make an influence this season. The place is perhaps the strongest of any in Southern California when contemplating expertise and depth.
Richard Wesley of Sierra Canyon modified his classification to class of 2026 as a result of he’s been a standout since freshman yr and is a Texas commit. Mater Dei has essentially the most dominant lineman in Tomuhini Topui, a 315-pound USC commit identified for throwing round blockers and operating backs.
Khary Wilder of Gardena Serra, an Ohio State commit, is coming off a junior season during which he recorded 11 tackles for losses. Andrew Williams of Fremont is a 6-5, 220-pound USC commit attempting to show you may nonetheless make it out of the Metropolis Part. Sophomore Marcus Fakatou of Orange Lutheran and junior ElijaHarmon of Inglewood are large, sturdy and intimidating younger stars within the making. Anthony Jones of Crean Lutheran is a UCLA commit identified for his pass-rushing abilities.
Malik Brooks of St. Pius X-St. Matthias is a 330-pound deal with dedicated to USC who is aware of the way to take aside double groups. Devyn Blake of Edison has the dimensions to trigger havoc. Elijah Staples of Marquez is a defensive finish who had 13 sacks as a sophomore. Dutch Horisk of St. John Bosco is an Oregon commit who had 4 sacks final season.
There’s many defensive linemen this season able to be difference-makers, and Johnson matches proper in.
He has used baseball to assist him excel in soccer.
“I really feel they each assist me,” he mentioned. “Baseball is nice hands-eye coordination and since I’m a defensive linemen I exploit my palms rather a lot. Seeing a baseball, the response time is like an offensive lineman utilizing their palms.”
Sierra Canyon continues to be looking for a solution to get previous Mater Dei and St. John Bosco within the Southern Part Division 1 playoffs, a roadblock that almost all groups in Southern California have didn’t get by means of.
“It’s a fireplace beneath our butts to maintain going,” Johnson mentioned. “We apply exhausting.”
Monday: Ventura linebacker Tristan Phillips.
Defensive linemen to look at
Malik Brooks, St. Pius X-St. Matthias, 6-4, 330, Sr. USC commit is large roadblock within the center
Marcus Fakatou, Orange Lutheran, 6-7, 265, So. His expertise degree is off the charts
Dutch Horisk, St. St. John Bosco, 6-3, 240, Sr. 4-year starter is Oregon commit
Mikhal Johnson, Sierra Canyon, 6-2, 255, Sr. Had 16 tackles for losses
Anthony Jones, Crean Lutheran, 6-4, 285, Sr. UCLA commit retains increase power
Simote Katoanga, Santa Margarita, 6-5, 250, Sr. JSerra switch is bodily specimen
Izak Simpson, Simi Valley, 6-3, 260, Sr. Sacramento State commit has 29 sacks the final two years
Tomuhini Topui, Mater Dei, 6-3, 320, Sr. USC commit might play for any school within the nation
Richard Wesley, Sierra Canyon, 6-5, 250, Sr. Texas commit had 9 sacks final season
Khary Wilder, Gardena Serra, 6-4, 260, Sr. Ohio State commit is four-year starter who exhibits up each sport
