Rahshead Johnson is a consensus four-star wide receiver in the class of 2014 from Long Beach (Calif.) Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo High School. His performance in high school earned him scholarship offers from several power-conference programs, including USC, Washington, Nebraska, Arizona State, Arizona and Washington State.
Rahshead Johnson recruit scouting report: Excellent slot receiver
The 5’11, 165-pound Johnson is the No. 28 player at his position in the 247Sports composite rankings, which average the evaluations of the major recruiting services. He is also the No. 187 overall prospect in the class and a top-20 player in California. Both Scout and ESPN consider him a four-star recruit; Scout ranks him 26th among wideouts, while ESPN has him at No. 29 and No. 238 overall.
He isn’t rated quite so highly by 247Sports, which considers him the No. 60 wide receiver in the nation and a three-star prospect.
Highlights of Johnson at Cabrillo are available here.
Derrell Warren, West Coast Recruiting Analyst (@yssd): At first glance the 5’10” 170 pound Johnson doesn’t cut the most imposing figure. However, due to a strong looking lower half and good overall core strength, his style of play is occasionally more physical than his listed measureables might suggest.
Johnson carries good initial burst. His speed tends to taper off a bit over longer distances. He can threaten a defense vertically due to an explosive outside release.
Johnson is a two-way player for his high school team. However, he has largely been recruited to play specifically on the offensive end.
At this stage he isn’t asked to run an assortment of routes. Like most high schoolers, that aspect of his game could stand refining. That said, he possesses the body control and natural wiggle to create separation at the top of his routes.
At the college level Johnson would likely best function as a slot receiver. He’s very slippery after the catch and unlike a lot of smaller players doesn’t waste a ton of lateral movement attempting to juke defenders in open space.
Playing in the defensive backfield is where the physicality shows in Johnson’s game the most. He’s an aggressive wrap-tackler with very good balance. He drives through targets upon squaring them up.
Johnson also carries the ability to contribute in the return game. He is more, quick than fast so he probably carries more upside returning punts.
