Interview: All-American Class of 2017 LB Thomas Johnston Talks Football and Recruiting

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

There are a lot of great linebackers in the 2017 recruiting class and without a doubt Spanish Fort High School’s Thomas Johnston is among the best of the best.

Johnston has been a force to be reckoned with since his freshman season. The now 6’2”, 220 pound, playmaker burst onto the scene in Alabama with 121 tackles helping lead the Toros to a state championship posting a 16-0 win-loss record. During the 2014 season, Johnston did not slack off coming up with a ridiculous stat line of 143 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, one interception, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble helping the team to a 12-2 mark.

Everyone – fans, teammates, and coaches alike were all interested to see what Johnston would do as an encore during his junior season. He did not disappoint tallying 147 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, two sacks, seven quarterback hurries, three interceptions, 12 passes defended, and one fumble recovery. Along the way to helping the Toros to yet another Alabama state championship, Johnston picked up first team All-State honors and was named a first team MaxPreps All-American.

Johnston’s accomplishments were so well thought of he was up against Class of 2016 five-star linebacker Lyndell Wilson (Alabama) for top state defensive honors beating out another in-state five-star Ben Davis (Alabama) to be in the running.

All of the top play and notoriety has not been lost on college coaches. Johnston is sitting on 18 Division-I offers from some of the top programs in the nation that includes Clemson, Auburn, LSU, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Iowa, Georgia Tech, Oregon, Cal, Wake Forest, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, North Carolina State, Louisville, and North Carolina.

Whoever reels in Johnston at the next level will be getting a tough-physical player who can stop the run and can drop back in coverage. With Johnston’s frame, he can add on a few pounds and play in the middle or stay on the outside coming off the edge as a speed rusher on passing downs. He is fast enough to shadow running backs out of the backfield and tight ends lining up tight or in the slot at either outside spot.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the highly prized recruit to get an overview on his junior season, offseason workouts, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Thomas, you’ve been banging heads at the Class 5A level at a highly productive rate over the past three seasons. At this point in your career, what makes you such a great linebacker?

“I was actually called up Week 5 of my eighth grade year.”

Really?

(Laughs) “Yes sir.”

Wow – okay year four going on five. Tell me about your skill set at linebacker.

“My biggest strengths are my instincts. That is a big key for me. College coaches tell me they like my sideline to sideline ability. They also like how physical I am in the middle.”

What do you do well from a technical standpoint?

“My sophomore year was the only year I did not get a pick. One thing I needed to work on was my pass coverage. After my sophomore year I went to work on that and I have gotten a lot better with my coverage. I watched a lot of film on receivers. Once I figured that out, I took away slants and digs. I had 12 pass breakups my junior year. I’m doing more of that this year.”

What are you working on in the offseason for your senior year?

“The little things. I want to read my keys better from the inside and from the outside. I want to be 100 percent reading down blocks and stuff like.”

What goals have you set for yourself for the offseason?

“I’m cutting down. I want to get all of my maxes up 20 to 30 pounds. I played baseball the past two years so I missed time in weight room. I’m making up for all of that right now – pumping that up.”

What weight have you maxed out at this offseason?

“My last max was during my freshman offseason. My power clean was 285, my bench was 255, and I squatted 555 then.”

You did that as a freshman?!?!

(Laughs) “Yes sir.”

Just a naturally strong cat I guess.

(Laughs)

What are your goals for the 2016 football season?

“I want to bring the team in as one and accomplish our goal, the same goal we have every, year win a state championship. Everyone has to put the work in for us to win. I don’t want anyone to feel like they are not a part of it. I want to lead this team and get another ring. My brother is the quarterback (Tyler). We both have three rings, it would be nice to get four.”

Will you take on a bigger role with the team in 2016?

“I believe so. We scheme every week on each team. We have different defensive fronts we run. For example, sometimes we run a 3-3 stack. In that, I play the field. I could drop back or go back outside on certain situations. On offense, I’ll be at running back and a tight end/H-back guy.”

Are you excited about your role on offense?

“I am. I have not touched the ball since 7th grade.”

Are you going to tear it up?

“I hope so.” (Laughs)

Which game was your best game last season and why do you consider that your best game?

“Let me think about it. My best stat game was against Davidson (won 35-14). I think I had 18 tackles and two tackles for a loss. For my best all-around game, I’d say state. I had 14 tackles, a sack, and a tackle for a loss (beat Clay-Chalkville 31-28).”

You have some great offers on the table. Which schools are maybe pushing a little bit harder than the others trying to secure a verbal commitment from you?

“I’d say all of them are on me hard but I’d say Arkansas, Cal, Oregon, LSU, Auburn, Ole Miss and Mississippi State are on me the most.”

Are there any schools that have not offered yet but recruiting as if they might one day?

“Vanderbilt, Florida, Alabama, and Florida State.”

Which schools have you unofficially visited so far?

“I’ve been up to LSU, Alabama, Florida State, Mississippi State, Auburn, and UAB.”

How did your visit to Alabama go?

“I went up to Alabama for the LSU game. I got to talk to Coach (Tosh) Lupoi (outside linebackers coach) when I was there. We’ve been talking on Twitter. They showed plenty of love.”

What about your Auburn trip. How did that go?

“I love it up there. They have a family atmosphere. When Coach (Kevin) Steele took over as defensive coordinator, the next day he offered me. He said I am a big priority up there and he wants me to play for his defense.”

Do you have any unofficial visits lined up for anytime this spring or summer?

“I want to get up to Arkansas for sure. I’m looking at going to LSU, Auburn, Oregon, Cal, and N.C. State and all the schools around there.”

When you take your visit to Arkansas what will you be looking for from the school and program during that trip?

“I’m not looking for much. They have showed plenty of love to me. I know I am welcomed there. I want to see their facilities and their academics. I want to see how the environment is up there. I want to see if it feels like a second home and is comfortable for me up there.”

Have you set a date for your Arkansas visit yet?

“My dad and I will sit down and figure that out soon. We’ll do it sometime this summer.”

Have you put together a list of your top schools yet?

“No, but I plan on doing that. I plan on sitting down at the end of the summer. Right now I am completely open and enjoying the process.”

Have you come up with a timeline when you would like to have a decision made on where you will play your college ball?

“Yes sir. I want to talk all of my official visits. When we get to the season, I want to make sure the team knows I’m focused on winning a state championship. I’ll take care of all the college stuff after the season.”

What will be the main thing that influences the school you choose?

“My main goal when deciding to go to a school is to be a difference maker when I get there. I don’t want to just be another guy on campus.”

Are you going to any camps this summer?

“No. When I go to the colleges, I’m just going to meet the coaches this summer.”

Is there a player at the next level you really enjoy watching play the game?

“Luke Kuechly (Carolina Panthers linebacker). I remember watching him play a Thursday night game when he was at BC (Boston College). He was always around the ball. He has a great work ethic and a great motor.”

Are you playing any other sports for Spanish Fort?

“Just baseball and choir.”

How did the baseball season go for you?

“We got put out early. We were really young this year. We only had three seniors this year. We did not have the season we expected. We usually make it to the semifinals.”

How did you do personally?

“I could have done better. I was struggling through with a wrist injury at the beginning of the season. I finished well. Wish I could have started off stronger. We will have 13 seniors next year. I’m excited for next season.”

So you will not be an early enrollee?

“No sir.”

What is your motivation on the field?

“I’m dedicating the rest of my career to my papa who passed away before our quarterfinals game. He was my No. 1 fan and I wanna continue to make home proud!”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“Winning.”

Simple enough – I like it. Thomas, thanks for your time today and good luck on all of your upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: al.com; No. 5 Thomas Johnston celebrates a play.

Photo credit: Johnston family; Thomas and his mom, Trisha Johnston, at LSU.

Photo credit: Johnston family; Thomas Johnston at Auburn.