One of the most fertile soccer recruiting high schools in the country is Bradenton (Florida) IMG. The IMG program is a must stop for college recruiters every year. And the Buckeyes certainly do a lot of recruiting work every cycle at IMG.
The next time you stop in Florida at IMG, you will see a very familiar face. Old Buckeye, linebacker Johnson pepper, has been named a new defensive coordinator at IMG. The official announcement was made by the IMG head coach Bobby acosta who published the news on his Twitter account.
“We are very excited to have Johnson pepper join the Brotherhood as our new defensive coordinator, ”Acosta posted on his Twitter account this afternoon.
Johnson replaces Brett Maxie who left IMG this winter to join the Colorado Buffalo coaching staff.
The Buckeyes have effectively recruited the talent-rich IMG program, including signed cornerback Lejond Cavazos for the Ohio State 2020 recruiting class and getting a compromise from the defensive end Tunmise Adeleye for his class 2021.
Johnson played his high school soccer in Detroit, Michigan McKenzie before heading to Ohio State to play his college soccer for Earle Bruce. Johnson wrote lyrics every year for the Buckeyes from 1982 to 1985. Johnson led the Buckeyes in tackles in 1984 and 1985. He was co-captain of the team and was named defensive MVP by his teammates in 1984 and 1985. Johnson was named as All-American in 1985
Johnson then played in the NFL for the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, and New York Jets. He had a great career as a professional player that included being named All-Pro, appearances in the Pro Bowl and becoming a two-time Super Bowl champion.
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Johnson also had an excellent career as a coach in the NFL. He started as an assistant linebacker coach for Bill Belichick with the New England Patriots during the 2000 season.. Johnson then served as the Patriots’ linebacker coach for 2001 through 2003, before moving on to the defensive line coach in 2004. In all, he trained for the Patriots from 2001 to 2013.
Johnson was also a defensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills in 2014 and a defensive line coach for the New York Jets in 2015 and 2016. He also trained for the Memphis Express in 2019 and the Los Angeles Wildcats in 2020.
Johnson was a three-time Super Bowl champion as a coach.
At IMG Johnson you will have an opportunity to work with Adeleye this season. Adeleye got engaged to the Buckeyes in March and told Bucknuts on Sunday that she is 100% committed to the state of Ohio. But Texas A&M, Alabama, and Florida continue to recruit Adeleye and plan to do so throughout National Firm Day.
