How critical is finding and acquiring quality defensive back talent?
Well for the Black Knights, they lost through his upcoming graduation, Co-Captain and Safety, Cedrick Cunningham. The same will happen after the 2022 football campaign, because upcoming senior, co-captain and safety Marquel Broughton will be playing his final season in the Black & Gold via graduation as well.
Thus the staff has gone full force in identifying and extending offers to several safety 2023 prospects such as 3-star prospect, Damon Walters, whose older brother Brandon was starting slotback on Army’s 2021 team.
That brings us to the most recent safety prospect offer, which goes to CJ Johnson, who pulled down his Black Knights’ offer last week.
“Coach Scott Sloan has been recruiting me at Army and he offered me,” shared Johnson, who also holds offers from Arkansas State, UTSA, Prairie View A&M, SMU, San Diego State, Rice and Arizona.
“It (Army offer) was a surprise … Coach Sloan hit me up Thursday and I had to send him some academic stuff and then Friday he offered me on the spot.”
“I was excited. Army’s a great school with a rich history, great academics, and great athletic program,” added the 6-foot-3, 197-pounder, who continued to share the Army offer narrative.
“He just called me and asked what I was up to, asked about my parents and what they do, and just we talked about what I like to do and who I am as a person … then we talked about the school itself and he offered me.”
For those defensive recruits who have followed Army football, they are aware of the style of play that defensive coordinator Nate Woody loves to employ, which is a discipline, yet aggressive 3-4 defense.
“I love playing aggressive, so I think my style of play will fit right into their defensive scheme,” Johnson explained. “My school runs a 3-4 also, so I would be pretty familiar to the defense.”
And on the academic side of the equation, Johnson had this to offer.
“Academics are a big factor in my recruitment, so knowing I’ll be getting a great degree is important to me,” declared Johnson, who holds a 3.7 (on a 4.0 scale), as he also brought up the subject of visiting West Point.
“Coach Sloan did mention to me about the upcoming Junior Days that Army will be hosting during spring ball. He told me he wants to get me to one of them, and I do plan on attending, I just have to plan out what weekend I can attend and discuss with my parents.”
During his 2021 season, he had 15 tackles, 1 interception, 2 pass breakups, and one blocked kick, as he and his teammates at Paetow High School in Katy, Texas went 15-1 and won the Texas 5A D1 State Championship.
GoBlackKnights.com will continue to follow Johnson’s recruiting throughout the winter-spring and into his senior year, so keep it right here
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