Pos.: Defensive End
Ht./Wt.: 6-3 • 221
School: Camden H.S.
Hometown: Camden, N.J.
Measurables
• Has run a 4.60 40-yard dash and a 4.56 20-yard shuttle.
• Has a vertical jump of 29 inches.
Additional Stats
• Had five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries in his prep career.
• Also played tight end and caught 10 balls for 118 yards (11.8-yards average) and a touchdown.
Honors
• Ranked No. 6 in the 2015 NJ.com Top 50, ranking the best players in New Jersey.
• Named to the second-team all-state defense and first-team All-Group 3 defense as a senior.
All-Star Games And Camps
• Participated in the 2016 Semper-Fidelis All-American Bowl.
• Attended the 2015 Rivals Camp Series — New Jersey.
Recruitment
• Became the first of the New Jersey contingent to commit to Michigan, pledging on June 25, 2015.
• Picked U-M over Rutgers, South Carolina and Penn State.
• Was recruited by Michigan defensive line coach Greg Mattison and linebackers/special teams coach Chris Partridge.
Notable
• Helped his team go 28-5 in three seasons.
• Was prep teammates with fellow U-M signee Brad Hawkins Jr., a four-star wide receiver.
2016 Projection
Michigan needs pass rushers to emerge in 2016, and Johnson has the quick burst off the snap that could fuel an opportunity to play in his true freshman campaign, if only in a very nuanced role as a third-down specialist. He's a bit of a tweener that probably projects best at outside linebacker in a 3-4, but it remains to be seen how new defensive coordinator Don Brown will employ his personnel next season.
They Said It
Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst Adam Friedman: "Johnson is extremely explosive off the line of scrimmage, has a great outside move. He is very athletic, has very good balance. He is someone that will put pressure on quarterbacks, and he also has the athleticism to play in space. I see him developing into more of a hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end, and as he gets stronger, his inside pass rushing moves will get a lot better."
Camden Head Coach Dwayne Savage: “Ron started three years for us. His dad was a running back for Wisconsin, so Ron already had the work ethic for him to succeed. We started him early because of his size and speed, and his ability to get to the football is something he’s always had."
