Virginia

Gerard  Johnson
Gerard
Johnson
Pos:DE/TE
Ht/Wt:6-4/250
Year:24
Home Town:Virginia Beach
High School:Cox High School

Player Bio

URA RANKING: 5⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐                            GRADE: 97                       PROJECTION: FBS (P5) COMMIT

HUDL Highlights

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Gerald W. Johnson’s journey to become a dominant athlete in the 757 did not come as a surprise. His remarkable work ethic and dedication to his craft set him on a path to success, making him a role model for many young athletes at Cox High School. As an early commit to Virginia Tech in his junior year. Johnson’s decision to commit to the Hokies was a significant choice, as he had offers from various other schools, including UVA, Duke, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Vanderbilt, Boston College, East Carolina, JMU, Old Dominion, Temple, and more. Johnson becomes the fourth addition to the defensive line in this class, alongside three-star defensive ends Deric Dandy from North Carolina and three-star defensive tackles Emmett Laws from Maryland and Andrew Hanchuk from Ohio.

This commitment is a significant triumph for the Hokies on the recruiting front. Johnson’s decision to join Virginia Tech is especially noteworthy because he is the first top 10 in-state recruit, according to various rankings. His achievement represents a remarkable shift from the Hokies’ previous struggle to secure top 10 in-state recruits towards the end of Justin Fuente’s tenure, signifying a substantial improvement in VT’s recruiting efforts.

Johnson is a highly promising prospect with significant growth potential; he possesses an imposing physique that he can further develop. He’s versatile, capable of lining up to cover a tight end or making an impact in the box to disrupt the running game. Due to his athletic prowess and dominant play on defense as a junior, 247 Sports ranked Johnson as 6th in the State and 34th at his position in the 2024 class.

The commitment of Johnson is also a substantial victory for the Hokies in the 757 area code, as they did not sign a single high school recruit from this region during the 2023 recruiting cycle. While Tech has made progress in rebuilding relationships in this crucial area, Johnson’s commitment marks the beginning of those efforts bearing fruit for Pry and the Hokies.

Gerard Johnson is a highly promising prospect with significant growth potential; he possesses an imposing physique that he can further develop. He’s versatile, capable of lining up to cover a tight end or making an impact in the box to disrupt the running game. Due to his athletic prowess and dominant play on defense as a junior, 247 Sports ranked Johnson as 6th in the State and 34th at his position in the 2024 class.

The URA Football Show featured him as a 2024 Virginia Player To Watch.