Mikhal Johnson is one of many difference-makers on

Sixth in a collection of tales profiling top high college soccer gamers by place. Today, Mikhal Johnson, Sierra Canyon defensive lineman.

Mikhal Johnson, 6 ft 2 and 255 kilos, has performed protection all his soccer life. Then got here the second last season when Sierra Canyon coach Jon Ellinghouse gave him a likelihood to catch a cross from quarterback Wyatt Becker in a Mission League championship sport against Gardena Serra.

Johnson called it “something out of a movie.”

“We practiced it a couple times during the week,” Johnson said. “Coach called me over, ‘We’re running the play.’ I lined up at tight end. I did a fake block. I go out, nobody is guarding me. This is it. Wyatt throws me the ball over my shoulder. I catch it. It was like, ‘Yes.’ I was so excited. My first ever touchdown the first time I played a skill position in my life.”

Nothing comes as a shock for Johnson, who also had a baseball sport in the spring in which he hit two home runs and had seven RBIs against Camarillo.

Ivy League soccer colleges have been lining up making an attempt to get him to think about their expertise of teachers and athletics. He had 16 tackles for losses last season.

“I think he’s almost unblockable,” Ellinghouse said. “I’ve seen him screw up several of my practices and go up against some the best high school players in the world. He’s a perfect combination of strength and twitchiness. He has long arms and deceptive strength.”

Johnson is one of many excellent defensive linemen and edge rushers set to make an influence this season. The place could be the strongest of any in Southern California when contemplating expertise and depth.

Richard Wesley of Sierra Canyon modified his classification to class of 2026 because he’s been a standout since freshman yr and is a Texas commit. Mater Dei has the most dominant lineman in Tomuhini Topui, a 315-pound USC commit identified for throwing around blockers and operating backs.

Khary Wilder of Gardena Serra, an Ohio State commit, is coming off a junior season in which he recorded 11 tackles for losses. Andrew Williams of Fremont is a 6-5, 220-pound USC commit making an attempt to show you may still make it out of the City Section. Sophomore Marcus Fakatou of Orange Lutheran and junior ElijaHarmon of Inglewood are big, strong and intimidating younger stars in the making. Anthony Jones of Crean Lutheran is a UCLA commit identified for his pass-rushing expertise.

Malik Brooks of St. Pius X-St. Matthias is a 330-pound deal with dedicated to USC who is aware of how to take aside double groups. Devyn Blake of Edison has the dimensions to trigger havoc. Elijah Staples of Marquez is a defensive end who had 13 sacks as a sophomore. Dutch Horisk of St. John Bosco is an Oregon commit who had 4 sacks last season.

There’s many defensive linemen this season prepared to be difference-makers, and Johnson suits proper in.

He has used baseball to help him excel in soccer.

“I feel they both help me,” he said. “Baseball is good hands-eye coordination and because I’m a defensive linemen I use my hands a lot. Seeing a baseball, the reaction time is like an offensive lineman using their hands.”

Sierra Canyon is still making an attempt to discover a approach to get past Mater Dei and St. John Bosco in the Southern Section Division 1 playoffs, a roadblock that most groups in Southern California have failed to get through.

“It’s a fire under our butts to keep going,” Johnson said. “We practice hard.”

Monday: Ventura linebacker Tristan Phillips.

Defensive linemen to watch

Malik Brooks, St. Pius X-St. Matthias, 6-4, 330, Sr. USC commit is big roadblock in the center

Marcus Fakatou, Orange Lutheran, 6-7, 265, So. His expertise degree is off the charts

Dutch Horisk, St. St. John Bosco, 6-3, 240, Sr. Four-year starter is Oregon commit

Mikhal Johnson, Sierra Canyon, 6-2, 255, Sr. Had 16 tackles for losses

Anthony Jones, Crean Lutheran, 6-4, 285, Sr. UCLA commit retains building up strength

Simote Katoanga, Santa Margarita, 6-5, 250, Sr. JSerra switch is bodily specimen

Izak Simpson, Simi Valley, 6-3, 260, Sr. Sacramento State commit has 29 sacks the last two years

Tomuhini Topui, Mater Dei, 6-3, 320, Sr. USC commit may play for any faculty in the nation

Richard Wesley, Sierra Canyon, 6-5, 250, Sr. Texas commit had 9 sacks last season

Khary Wilder, Gardena Serra, 6-4, 260, Sr. Ohio State commit is four-year starter who exhibits up every sport