Interview: 2021 RB Christian Johnson Prepping for Another Shot at 5A Texas Defenses
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
After a sophomore season learning the Wylie East High School offensive system with a goal of building up his football foundation, Christian Johnson parlayed that time into a successful 2019 campaign. The 5-8, 180-pound, back took on 5A Texas defenses rushing 164 times for 721 yards with six trips into the end zone and while showing glimpses of being an every down back with three receptions for 20 yards. The time to prepare over the offseason to take his breakthrough junior run into a breakout senior year is not lost on Johnson. The hard work being put in this spring that has attracted some regional recruiting interest for the 3.3 cumulative GPA student-athlete should hit the gas once the 2020 schedule kicks off.
In an RNG update interview, Johnson catches us up on how his skills expanded a year ago with his first full-time varsity action and an update on his daily workouts this spring.
*Click the link for the June 4, 2019, RNG UCLA camp video interview with Christian Johnson
Interview
Christian, you had a breakout junior season leading the Raiders in rushing. Given the opportunities as a workhorse kind of back, how did your overall game improve in 2019?
“By going in every day practicing hard with the goal of trying to get better every day. From watching film and practicing hard I became more explosive and my yards after contact improved.”
Once the season ended, what did you feel were the strengths to your overall game?
“My field vision, my quickness, and my ability to be a check-down out of the backfield.”
Is there a key trait to your game that might get overlooked?
“My elusiveness and breakaway speed.” 
During the 2020 season will you take on any new roles for the Raiders?
“I will be at running back, of course, and I am trying to get in the slot more and hopefully I will be on kick return.”
What have you been working on this spring to prepare for you senior year?
“This spring I have been doing a lot of speed training and weight lifting, those are the biggest things I need to work on this offseason.”
What has been your daily workout routine this spring?
“I usually do a parachute workout or I am pulling sleds to work on my burst. With my weight lifting, I try to go every other day for upper and lower body – typical workouts.”
Going into recruiting, which schools are showing interest now?
“A lot of coaches are reaching out for showcase camps. Southwestern (Texas) Pirates OBU (Ouachita Baptist) are showing interest.”
Did you get to take any unofficial visits before the dead period began?
“Yes. I took a Junior Day visit to Alabama A&M.”
How did that visit go?
“It was pretty great. I toured the camps; they have a really nice campus.”
Christian, it was great catching up with you today. Good luck with the rest of your workouts this summer preparing for the 2020 season.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Wylie East HS/Johnson family; Christian Johnson runs over a defender (2019)