There might not be an athlete on any Watch List that I have been more excited to see on tape than River Falls’ Eli Johnson Eli Johnson 6'6" | 230 lbs | TE River Falls | 2025 State WI . The tape was worth the wait. Eli has a D1 frame at 6’6″ 230 lbs. He is a true mismatch who can lineup at the traditional, inline TE position or out wide/slot. Eli uses his elite size to create separation. He can box out DBs, catch the ball away from his body with soft hands, and is physical after the catch. The big man is a major contributor in the run game also. Johnson has the strength to drive his man off the ball and reset the line of scrimmage downfield like you would expect an OL to do at this level. On top of it all, the senior TE is a natural, smooth athlete. One that can accelerate quickly, change direction, adjust laterally while engaged in blocks, and do it with ease. Eli is an FBS level talent, and already has seen the offers coming in from that level. He is going to debut very high in the rankings when we update them after the season.

One of the big winners recruiting-wise at the midway point of this blooming 2023 high school football season, River Falls High School’s 6’6, 230 lb. TE Eli Johnson has seen the all-important junior season pay off as he entered the ranks of P5 recruits after receiving his first offer on September 2nd from Iowa State. Two weeks later, North Dakota State added a heavyweight FCS offer. Mizzou, Yale, Kansas State, and Nebraska all have sent gameday invites as well. Johnson reports a 4.69 40 and runs with the esteemed AAU program that is the Wisconsin Playmakers, and you can see that athleticism in his senior game tape, which shows off a TE with a balanced skillset who can do real damage in the passing and blocking game. Johnson can flex out or do damage as an in-line TE as a receiving target, as he can possesses tons of length and can drop his hips and create separation at the top of the route, as well as burn DBs out of his breaks or when going vertical. He’s also a very effective blocker who is strong enough to handle first level defensive linemen and coordinated enough to work to the second level and handle quicker defenders in space. Good technique and uses body positioning as well. No problem in the physicality department either. The state of Wisconsin has yet another high-ceiling TE prospect on their hands.

The River Falls TE Eli Johnson Eli Johnson 6'6" | 230 lbs | TE River Falls | 2025 State WI was an athlete I have had on my radar for awhile. It was clear he had the size, checked in at 6’5″ 226.5 lbs, but I didn’t have any tape for the athlete. So I was very excited to see him in River Falls at the Mega Camp. The ’25 didn’t disappoint either. Eli broad jumped 9’6″, 31.3″ in the vertical, and ran a 4.69 40 yard dash. Those are all very strong numbers for an athlete his size. Especially since Eli will only be entering his junior season this fall. Johnson also proved that he isn’t just an athletic big man. Eli has the hands and fluid movement/body control to be able to create separation with his routes and he uses that size to box out defenders like you would see on the basketball court. Keep your eyes on this kid when the fall rolls around. He also lists DL as his secondary position.