Gopher recruit senior has high hopes for his Forest lake squad

Let’s Play Football had the opportunity this summer to sit down for an interview with Minnesota Golden Gophers commit Howie Johnson.

Johnson is a defensive lineman who is entering his senior season with Forest Lake High School, who is now 2-0 after a convincing 31-20 win over Anoka in Week 2 of the high school season. The talented defensive player committed to the Gophers in June of 2024 and has continued to raise his stock since.

According to 247 Sports, Johnson has elevated his status from a three-star to a four-star recruit after a standout high school campaign that included being named the 2024 East Metro Player of the Year with 87 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, and four sacks.

Our interview with Johnson covered topics spanning his life and athletic career. One topic showcasing Johnson’s journey to top-level football recruit included talking about the various sports he tried out growing up.

Johnson grew up playing baseball and also wrestled until the ninth grade, where he placed third in the heavyweight division at a sectional meet. Though Johnson stopped his wrestling career there, he does say it made him a better football player. 

“I will say wrestling did make me a better football player. It taught me how to use other people’s momentum against them, taught me how to be light on my feet and how to quickly sink.”

After leaving wrestling and baseball, Johnson picked up track and field, where he is still a standout in the shot put and discus events.

All of Johnson’s athletic background culminated in a breakout sophomore football season at Forest Lake that put him on the map as a prospect to watch in Minnesota. In Johnson’s second year, he tallied 80 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, seven sacks, a forced fumble and a blocked field goal attempt. 

The class of 2026 prospect’s breakout season led to him being recruited by the Gophers, and he committed to the University that summer. 

Johnson pointed out his relationship with his brother Gunner as one of the driving forces of his high school success.

“We played football for years. (Gunner) is only two years older than me, but growing up, we always competed with each other and we always wanted to be better than the other person at football,” Johnson said. “Eventually, the time came when we both got to play on the same field on Friday nights, which was an absolute blessing…He was the best nose guard I could have asked for.”

Howie and Gunner’s partnership propelled Howie to being one of the most exciting prospects in Minnesota. While he’s excited to play at the University, he also still has his eyes on success with Forest Lake in his senior season.

Forest Lake went 7-3 last year and made an appearance in the Class AAAAAA State Tournament. They defeated Buffalo High School in the first round before losing to Blaine in their next game. 

“For the team and myself, the state title, of course, is the expectation. That’s what we’re all working for,” Johnson said. “Everyone believes we can win the state title. We have everything we need; we just need to utilize it… People say we gotta get over the hump, that round two of the tournament hump. I believe we can do it.”

While Johnson is intent on leading Forest Lake deep into the postseason, his career with the Gophers is already on the horizon. His commitment to the University is also part of a bigger picture: Minnesota is keeping more of its top talent close to home.

The Gophers notably signed Koi Perich, Minnesota’s top prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, despite offers from traditional collegiate blue bloods like Ohio State. P.J. Fleck and the Gophers have kept that momentum since then, with three of their four-star recruits from the class of 2026 being Minnesota prospects. 

Johnson is one of those recruits and is joined by the state’s top prospect, athlete Roman Voss from Jackson County Central and offensive lineman Andrew Trout from Rocori. 

The influx of high-end talent from within the state is an exciting development for the Gopher football program. Howie Johnson is at the forefront of the wave of the next great Minnesota players to suit up for the Gophers.