NFLers son favors OSU

Being the son of a famous athlete doesn’t always guarantee success for a high school football star. However, Columbus (Ohio) Eastmoor linebacker Dionte Johnson, the son of Ohio State star and NFL Pro Bowl linebacker Pepper Johnson, hopes the genes are good enough to get him to the next level.

The 5-foot-10 Johnson weighs 227 pounds and run a 4.53-second 40-yard dash. He is hearing from his father’s Alma Mater, along with several other schools across the country.

"I don't really want to name a favorite, but Ohio State, Northwestern, West Virginia, Michigan State, and Boston College are all in strong consideration," said Johnson. "Bowling Green is the only school to offer so far, but Pitt, Michigan State and Ohio State have all said that scholarships could be on the table soon. I camped at Bowling Green, Michigan State, Pitt, Ohio State, and Notre Dame this summer."

An excellent student, with a 3.7 GPA, a 23 on the ACT, and an 1,150 SAT score, Johnson was contacted by all of the Ivy League schools in May, along with Pitt, Ohio State, Northwestern, Colorado, and Southern Cal.

His high school was also bombarded with college suitors as coaches from Wisconsin, Northwestern, Ohio State, Air Force, Princeton, Harvard, Yale, West Virginia, Georgetown, Wake Forest, and Boston College all visited.

"I love the game, getting to it,"Johnson commented and, after recording over 100 tackles as a junior, he is serious in his self evaluation. "I am always downhill to the ball and aggressive. I love hitting."

Although he plays middle linebacker and fullback in the high school ranks, Johnson will likely end up in the offensive backfield as a lead blocker in college. He's in no hurry to make a decision.

"I'll just have a great senior season and see who offers," he said. "I'll probably decide at the end."