CLASS IMPACT: Jericho Johnson Commits to Oregon
2024 Fairfield (Calif.) Armijo High School defensive lineman Jericho Johnson just announced his commitment to Oregon. He chose the Ducks from a final group that also included Washington, USC and Utah.
Let's break this commitment down from every angle.
Recruiting Impact
This is a big commitment for a number of reasons.
Not only did Oregon beat conference rivals Washington and USC for a elite recruit, but they continued adding to the best defensive line haul in the country.
There was a point in time where I believed Oregon was only going to be able to get one of either Johnson or five-star Aydin Breeland, but here we are with both players now in the fold during the early signing period.
There aren't many 300-pound defensive linemen that can play at a high level on the West Coast, so when they do pop up it's crucial for a coaching staff like Oregon's to make them a major priority. And that's certainly the case here.
The top talent on the West Coast, specifically along the defensive line, continues lining up to play in Eugene. That's a testament to Dan Lanning prioritizing winning at the line of scrimmage.
Defensive line was a big need this class with all the veteran's from this year's team set to depart, and the staff can certainly check that box with this 2024 class.
Evaluation
The first word that comes to mind when you watch his film is power. Play after play you can see him overpowering opposing offensive linemen and driving them onto their backs.
Now he may not be able to do that as frequently once he gets to college, but it's certainly a positive. Johnson plays with violent hands and excels at creating separation from his blocker, routinely shedding blocks to get in the backfield. The newest Duck also uses his long arms to engulf ballcarriers and finish plays.
He's got a great feel for the game and a first step that makes him a problem for offensive linemen. The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder is disruptive in both pass and run defense, displaying good straight-line speed for someone of his size.
Johnson is everything a college coach wants in a defensive lineman. He's big, athletic, and nasty. Duck fans should be excited about his upside, which should only improve once he gets into a college strength and conditioning program.
Roster Outlook at Oregon
It's no secret that the defensive line will look quite a bit different in Eugene next season. That said, the cupboard isn't bare for the Ducks as they'll hope underclassmen like A'Mauri Washington, My'Keil Gardner and Terrance Green can step up along the interior.
Fans should also expect the coaching staff to continue exploring their options in the transfer portal, after hosting a player like Michigan State defensive lineman Derrick Harmon prior to the dead period.
It's not too often that you see young players see the field early along the interior, but it's clear Johnson has the frame to do that. He has an opportunity to see snaps as a true freshman depending on how he adjusts to the speed of the game and how quickly he can grasp the playbook.
All the physical tools and athleticism are clearly there, I think it'll come down to what's in between the ears. To be clear that's not to cast any doubt, as he's clearly a special talent. Like any player, how quickly he can adapt to the college game, specifically the learning curve, will play a role in dictating how quickly he'll see the field.
Johnson is the latest big-time defensive lineman heading to Eugene, as he's one of three All-American selections Tony Tuioti recruited and signed in this class.
