Notre Dame gained a major youngster today as Fort Wayne (Ind.) North Side pulled off a four-star, two-way win Brauntae Johnson obliged to play ball for the head coach Marcus Freemansafety trainer Chris O’Leary and the Fighting Irish. This is a big state win for the Notre Dame coaches.
Johnson, a 6-3, 170-pounder, is arguably the best overall player at Hoosier State. According to 247Sports, he is the 160th overall player and the No. 13 athlete nationally. On January 16, in a large series of predictions in favor of the Fighting Irish, I threw in a crystal ball prediction for Johnson’s landing at Notre Dame. While it wasn’t always a smooth process, I was told that if things turned out the way Johnson and those close to him had hoped, it would be good news for Notre Dame. The love of Johnson and those in his camp for Notre Dame is undeniable and everyone is sure to be thrilled by today’s news.
“Coach Freeman is a straight guy,” Johnson previously said. “He seems very excited about his destination and the culture of Notre Dame.”
Others in the game included Purdue, Tennessee, Michigan State, Colorado, Auburn and Cincinnati to name a few. The Boilermakers probably came second here, but the fact that Notre Dame recruited him for the safety and everyone around him viewed him as an elite and differentiator in the position resonated with him. Some consider him more advanced than the NFL safety player and fellow Fort Wayne player Jessie Bates in this stadium. While he knows he’s a great receiver, he too sees the potential to play in the secondary school and how influential he can be for the Fighting Irish in the years to come.
“The atmosphere at Notre Dame is always first class live,” Johnson said back in November after a game day visit to South Bend. “The fans there are crazy and they’re pumping.” I’ve been to some crazy places and Notre Dame is definitely one of the top sights on this list.
“My favorite part of the trip was probably in the security room with Coach O’Leary,” Johnson continued. “I’m just learning and seeing my vision that I could possibly have there.”
247Sports Scouting Report: Good athlete who also has an interest in college basketball. Has the length and flexibility to project to the wide receiver or defensive backfield in college. Completes sporting tasks very easily and naturally. Gently changes direction as a route runner. Follows the ball well and catches it far from the body. Shows good footing and speed off the line. Is a bit elusive after catching, but doesn’t currently show elite acceleration or elite top end. Could be a varsity defenseman but needs to improve and get stronger at both positions. However, there is real top talent on both sides of the ball and the best football is probably yet to come.
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(Photo: 247Sports)