Alabama LB commit aiming to earn five-star status this season

For the third time in his high school career, Alabama commit Darrell “Duke” Johnson will head into a season with a different head coach than he had the year prior.

Phillip Brown is now the head football coach of Dodge County High School in Eastman, Georgia. The team is looking to bounce back from a 1-9 season — including an 0-6 record in regional play — from the year prior.

Brown was hired back in January, and says Johnson has been essential in keeping the team dynamic strong.

“Since I’ve been here, he’s always been that guy — especially on the defensive side of the ball — that’s try to take the lead of the group and get this thing going,” Brown told BamaOnLine recently. “Duke has played a major role in getting everybody to be family. That’s one of the things we’re trying to build here: A family type of atmosphere.”

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Adding onto that last statement, Brown noted that Johnson has been picking up players and taking them to practice. He’ll take about three or four of the younger players who can’t drive to practice, which has been of great help for Brown and his staff.

Johnson will primarily play inside linebacker this year, but showed off his versatility in a tune-up scrimmage earlier this month.

“In our scrimmage game, I think he ended up with 13 tackles. I think 2 or 3 for loss,” Brown said. “In some pass rush situations, we put him as a stand-up defensive end. I think he recorded two sacks. We’re able to use him in a number of different ways. He’s a matchup nightmare for a lot of people… a guy like that, he makes everyone else around him better because he draws that attention to him, which frees up other guys.

“Not only did he play d-line, but he played inside backer,” Brown continued. “On third downs, he played middle-of-the-field safety. He played all three levels.”

Brown has only coached Johnson for a few months, but praised him for his consistency and versatility. They’ll utilize him on offense less than last season, but he’ll be involved in every special teams play for the Indians.

Johnson is a top-50 recruit in the country, but Brown says there’s more to unlock in his game.

“As good as he is, he still has a ton of potential,” Brown said. “One thing I saw [in the scrimmage] that makes him so special is his ability to tackle in the open field. He does such a good job of tracking that near hip and closing on it fast. That’s one thing that he continues to surprise me… for as big of a guy he is, how fast he can move and close on the hip, that’s pretty special.”

Alabama commit Duke Johnson talks loyalty to Dodge County, goals for this season

Last season, Johnson recorded 103 total tackles. He describes himself as someone who’s heavily involved in film prep, and refers to himself as the heart of the defense.

In a previous conversation with BOL, Johnson went over some areas that he improved on this offseason.

“I worked on being explosive and using my hands more for when people try to block me,” Johnson said. “Watching the linemen pull. I got way bigger. Just playing ball and going downhill stronger.”

After weighing in at 204 pounds during the On3 Elite Series event in Nashville in May, Johnson says he recently weighed in at 213 pounds at Alabama’s Champions Cook-Out . He runs a 4.48, and combines that speed with good footwork and movement skills.

Johnson is aiming to reach five-star status before his season wraps up.

“I really have nothing to prove anymore, but I’m really going to live up to the name that I’m going to Bama,” Johnson said. “Make plays, win games, and stay healthy. I feel like I should be a five-star or a little bit higher, so I’m going to put it all on the line… I’ll have everything: Picks, forced fumbles, all of that.”

Johnson admitted that he could have transferred to a bigger school — especially with another change at head coach — but he’s embracing this last season with those he grew up with.

“Of course, it’s going to be bittersweet,” Johnson said. “No more high school, so just go all out. It was my last first week of practice. It was sad. I might cry my last game on Senior Night before the playoffs. I could’ve went to IMG Academy, Warner Robins, anywhere. But I wanted to stay with my boys since middle school and recreation.”

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