Interview: 2018 WR Trajen Johnson Ready to Lead Pulaski Academy to a Four-peat in Arkansas

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

There are several adjectives to describe Pulaski Academy’s offense under head coach Kevin Kelley that paint an immediate picture to those unaware of the Bruins. The quick words that also double as a superlative includes demoralizing, prolific, relentless, and dominating. PA captured their third consecutive Arkansas 5A state title in 2016 by crushing opposing defenses averaging 48 points per contest. The field leader for the offense last season was quarterback Layne Hatcher, who returns for his senior year in 2017. Hatcher gets one of his top targets back this season, 2018 wide receiver Trajen Johnson making the Bruins, once again, a very dangerous team to face.

While Hatcher was spraying the ball all over the field passing for 4,656 yards with 58 scores, two receivers did the bulk of the work adding to the stat line in 2016; receiver Ray Jackson and Johnson. Jackson pulled in 54 passes for 1,288 yards with 14 scores and Johnson secured 46 passes for 928 yards with 14 trips to the end zone. With Jackson graduated, Johnson is the heir apparent to take over as the Bruins go-to target in 2017.

Johnson displayed all the qualities of a Division-I receiver during his junior season beyond the stat line contributing to a second championship ring on his fingers of three consecutive the program has earned. At 6-2, 190 pounds, Johnson appears to be fearless going across the middle, is a sure-handed receiver, has the speed to breakaway from defenders, and is a more than willing blocker on the outside to help boost the run game. The sentiment is shared among college coaching staffs with Army, Columbia, Harvard, Yale, and Penn among the early schools to offer Johnson. The offer sheet has room to grow with interest coming in from Oklahoma State, Cincinnati, Dartmouth, Samford, Southern Illinois, Princeton, and Texas. With the off-season camp circuit getting into full swing, Johnson has multiple opportunities to show college coaches what he can do in person potentially swaying interest into more offers.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the Class of 2018 rising stars in the Natural State covering his junior campaign, off-season workouts, and recruiting process.

Interview

Trajen, you had a big breakout season in 2016, how did you prepare for your junior season?

“During my sophomore year I was behind a lot of seniors. Going into my junior year I knew the offense would be reliant upon me to step up. We had three seniors that left. I was prepared and more focused entering my junior season. I wanted to have a bigger impact in the game.”

What is a part of your game that might be underappreciated on the field?

“I think one of the main things I try to focus on is my blocking. We try to focus on that as a team to be a complete receiver. As a receiver, if you can block and catch the ball you will be on the field.”

Who was the toughest corner or safety you went up against during your junior season?

“I think it was a cornerback from Wynne. I think he was the best that I faced.”

How did that matchup make you better?

“In the offense we run, it is not a big matchup man verses man style. Playing against good competition brings out more in you. I focus on the little things like getting my route running perfect and making sure my technique is correct.”

PA took on a tough team in East High School (Salt Lake City) on the road. How was that overall experience for you getting to travel to a hostile environment against a tough opponent (lost 37-23)?

“I think being able to go to Utah by itself as a high school team is an experience we will always remember. Playing East prepared us for the rest of the season. We knew that was the best team we would face all year. We knew East was a different challenge than what we would see in Arkansas. Playing East helped us make a run for a state title.”

*East High School posted a 14-0 record claiming a Utah state title, MaxPreps’ No. 1 team in Utah, and MaxPreps’ No. 23 ranked team in the nation.

When you finished your junior year, what parts of your game improved the most?

“I think my major strength is making a play. One of the coaches recruiting me called me an eraser. He said if a lineman does not block or a receiver does not block but you get the ball in your hands you can make a play and erase mistakes made.”

What honors did you earn at the end of the 2016 season?

“First team All-Conference.”

What are you working on this off-season?

“I’m working on route running, technique, core strength, flexibility, and catching the ball. If you catch enough passes you don’t drop passes.”

Will your role on the team expand during your senior season? Will we see you on defense or on special teams next year?

“At PA we only play on one side of the ball. I think I will be allowed to return some kicks. The offense will continue to be great. We have a lot of receivers back. 2017 should be a great year with another year of experience going for me.”

Are you playing on any 7v7 teams?

“I’m not on any travel 7v7 teams but at PA we play a lot of 7v7 as a team. We are traveling to Dallas for a tournament coming up. Two years ago we went to DC and won a tournament. At the Shootout of the South in Little Rock, we beat Allen High School (Texas) by a touchdown to win the tournament. We do a lot of 7v7 as a team.”

Which camps have you attend so far this spring?

“This spring – I just got back from the Chicago Nike Opening. That is the main camp I have been to so far. I’m looking at attending a Rivals camp in St. Louis at the end of May.”

How did the Nike Opening in Chicago go?

“I think it went really well. I caught the ball well. I had good numbers. Competing there helped showed me the level of separation at the highest level is so small. You cannot depend on one facet of your game. You have to be well-rounded.”

What is the best 40-yard dash time you have ran?

“Last summer I ran a 4.48 at the Arkansas Varsity camp and I ran a 4.68 laser timed 40 at the Nike Opening.”

Have you maxed out in the weight room this spring?

“I have. My bench is 275, squat 405, and my clean is 225.”

Do you work with a personal trainer outside of school workouts?

“I do all of my training with J.J. Meadors. He is a former Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver. My receiver coach at PA is Anthony Lucas. Coach Lucas was an All-American at Arkansas and played in the NFL.”

Which schools are showing interest in you but have not offered?

“Right now Dartmouth, Samford, UCA (Central Arkansas), Cincinnati, Southern Illinois, Princeton, Oklahoma State, and Texas.”

Have you taken any visits this spring?

“Yes. I took an unofficial to Penn. I really loved the campus. I met all of the coaches. That went really well. I also visited Samford last weekend. They have a beautiful campus, great staff, and a winning program. They finished the season No. 21 last year. This Saturday I plan on going to Dartmouth for their Junior Day.”

What has you excited about visiting Dartmouth this weekend?

“I’m extremely excited about Dartmouth. They won the Ivy League in 2015. They have a really good program. I have been in contact with the staff for a year to a year and a half now. The opportunity to meet them will be great.”

Do you have any other upcoming visits planned?

“I’m planning on visiting UCA in the next couple of weeks. I think I might take a trip to Louisiana to Louisiana Tech or ULM (Louisiana-Monroe).”

Have you planned out any college camps for the summer?

“I have a tentative schedule right now. I have been invited to the Texas Longhorns camp. I will go there. I’m planning on going to an Oklahoma State camp. I think I will attend camps at Cincinnati, Harvard, Penn, and Columbia as well.”

With all the Ivy League interest, the next couple of questions should be interesting. What is your cumulative GPA?

“4.12.”

Do you have a score on the ACT or SAT you don’t mind sharing?

“I got a 30 on the ACT.”

You play basketball for PA as well. How did your basketball season go?

“It was not the best season as a team, but I made All-Conference. I played really well. I averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds, and just under 5 assists per game.”

Are you getting any next level looks for basketball?

“I am getting some D-II and D-III looks from schools all over the country.”

What do you do for fun when you are not playing basketball or doing a football related activity?

“I’m in a jazz band. I like playing music. I play the sax. That helps soothe me. I hang out with my friends and play video games and do my homework. That’s pretty much it.”

Trajen, thanks for your time today and good luck with all of the upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

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Action Photo Credits: Sheldon Smith; No. 1 Trajen Johnson.

Photo credit: Johnson family; Trajen Johnson at Penn with Heisman Trophy.