Top ten offseason update - Forest Lake's Howie Johnson

Sometimes, college decisions are not complicated. When a player's dream school comes calling, there is no reason to put committing to that school on hold. At least that is what Forest Lake junior [player_tooltip player_id='592117' first='Howie' last='Johnson'] thought when he got the offer he had been waiting for since he was a young kid.   "I have always watched Gophers' football on Saturdays," Johnson said. "I have always gone to games and just love Minnesota. It always felt like home. I always thought if I got the opportunity, I was going to play for the Gophers. Well – I was given the opportunity. I was given the opportunity to play for the team I have always watched and always dreamed of playing for. That was something I couldn't pass up."   Before Minnesota would offer, Johnson needed to prove it during his junior season.   "From start to finish, when we first started summer practices, the season was great," Johnson explained. "It was like I never left. I had goals in mind, and I think I did well with that. I learned some new leadership skills, and I was able to bring that to the team."   He used those new leadership skills often.   "My role on the field is to be the guy who goes out there and shows everybody we need to get it done. We have a job to do. Don't go outside your job. Don't try to do someone else's job; do what you are told. If you do what you are supposed to do, then things should go as we plan. I try to lead the team by example."   Johnson played some offense in goal-line packages early in the season but spent the entire season in the trenches.   "I played mainly defensive end. I would move from a five-technique to a three-technique. We run a 3-4, so we are stunting all the time. I play both sides and once in a while, I would play the nose."   Johnson feels his biggest strength on the defensive line has nothing to do with physical skills.   "I have the ability to recognize what the offensive lineman is going to do," the junior said. "Whether that is reading a block or reading if a guard is going to pull, it is the little tendencies like noticing their heels or watching their knees or hands – seeing if it is going to be a pass rocking back on their heels or if they are coming straight at me on their toes. Another thing would be recognizing an offensive scheme, picking out formations, and listening to my instincts based on formation. That comes with a bunch of film study."   Johnson has also been working on those physical skills.   "There are two main football skills I am focused on. My ability to throw or execute a pass rush move or set it up better. The other would be to dive into more offensive tendencies and become a master at the game of seeing something, watching film, knowing what is coming out of a formation, and being in the right spot when executing."   During the winter, he focused on working out.   "I have been doing the school's strength and speed program and occasionally go to a linemen camp and do a lot of footwork drills in the gym. I do a lot of footwork."   Johnson is back in competition again this spring.   "I am throwing shot put and discus this spring. I am focused on getting one percent better every day in throwing, football, and being an athlete."   Although his recruiting experience was brief, it was intense.   "At the beginning of the recruiting process, it was all thrown at me at once," Johnson told prepredzonemn.com. "It was a lot to take in. As time moved on, I learned to take it one step at a time and where I am in the process that day. I also learned to never compare myself to other kids. They are getting offers, and I would feel I was behind because I didn't have any offers. It is going to come. If I keep working and keep doing what I am supposed to, it is going to come."   Johnson said 'it' came because Minnesota especially liked two aspects of his game.   "They like my versatility and they like my undying desire to get to the football. I want to make every single play on Friday nights. I was always taught gang tackling is the best kind of tackling."   In addition to Minnesota being his dream school, Johnson – who off the field likes cooking and hanging out with friends and family – the Gophers offered more that helped separate them from their competitors.   "It is close to home – that was a big factor. The biggest factor was the coaches and the fact that Coach (PJ) Fleck runs a life program. Obviously, you will become a better football player there – they have the coaches, but he will not just set you up to be a good football player. He is going to help you become a better man outside of football."   Johnson—who was also recruited by Michigan State, Wisconsin, Kansas State, and Miami (OH)—has been told he will start working as a three-tech on the defensive line.   Check out past top ten stories:   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/top-ten-offseason-update-edinas-mason-west/?itm_source=parsely-api">Mason West</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/top-ten-offseason-update-tritons-pierce-petersohn/">Pierce Petersohn</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/top-ten-offseason-update-rocoris-andrew-trout/">Andrew Trout</a>

Sometimes, college decisions are not complicated. When a player's dream school comes calling, there is no reason to put committing to that school on hold. At least that is what Forest Lake junior Howie Johnson Howie Johnson 6'3" | 260 lbs | DL Forest Lake | 2026 State MN thought when he got the offer he had been waiting for since he was a young kid.