SAN BERANRDINO — It was 90-plus degrees at 5 p.m. for the first day of football practice at Cajon High School. Sun reflected off the stadium wall emblazoned with “Jayden Daniels Stadium.”
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Cajon High School Senior Taylor Johnson is one of the top linebackers in the Inland area. Johnson has given a verbal commitment to USC. (Photo by Nick Koon, Contributing Photographer)
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Cajon High School Senior Taylor Johnson is one of the top linebackers in the Inland area. Johnson has given a verbal commitment to USC. (Photo by Nick Koon, Contributing Photographer)
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That, of course, is a nod to the former Cajon quarterback who led the Cowboys to a state title game in 2017, then won the Heisman Trophy at LSU in 2023. He is now the starting quarterback for the NFL’s Washington Commanders.
But if Cajon is to achieve glory this season, it will depend on a defensive player. He is senior linebacker Taylor Johnson who averaged 14.5 tackles per game last season and has committed to USC.
“He goes sideline to sideline in a hurry and is violent when he arrives,” Cajon coach Nick Rogers said. “He has a non-stop motor and a natural ability to slip blocks and make tackles.”
TACKLING MACHINE
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Johnson gave a hint of his brilliance as a sophomore. He made 70 tackles, 38 of them solo.
Then Johnson simply went off in 2024, making a ridiculous 174 tackles (82 solo) with four quarterback sacks.
“He runs sideline to sideline like his hair is on fire and smacks anything moving,” said Cajon starting safety Cole Imbriani, who is Johnson’s best friend. “Off the field he’s funny and energetic. He’s a fun person to hang around.”
Peek at Johnson’s junior highlight film and it is impossible not to be impressed.
No. 8 in green and gold is a beast. He eyes his quarry, stalks, and pulverizes. And those are not just takedowns, they are crash-dummy tests. Ball carriers go down. Hard. And don’t get up so quickly.
“It’s a great feeling to make a big hit,” Johnson said. “You know you’ve made a great play, and you hear the crowd, and you want to celebrate with your team.”
‘EMBRACES CONTACT’
Johnson wears a black Cajon football T-shirt at practice with dark shorts and a blue back plate that says simply, “I’m back.”
That is bad news for opponents as Johnson accumulates tackles at a dizzying pace. He made 24 tackles (eight solo) against Norco and 23 (11 solo) against Beaumont.
Recruiters noticed. Johnson last spring accepted a scholarship from USC
“I picked USC because it felt like home,” Johnson said. “I had a good experience there and the coaching staff is amazing. I feel like they’ll develop me quickly and I’ll be able to get to the next level.”
The folks who watch football players for a living and rate them are impressed.
“Johnson is a highly productive linebacker who can run and hit,” wrote Greg Biggins, the national recruiting expert at 247 Sports. “He’s an inside backer who can flash from sideline to sideline and get downhill in a hurry. He has a nice edge to him, and you can tell he’s the kind of player who embraces contact.”
Adam Gorney, the national recruiting director for Rivals, agreed.
“Really liked what I saw from new USC commit Taylor Johnson at the passing-down event earlier this off-season,” Gorney said. “Great size, moves well, underrated area kid.”
Johnson is a three-star recruit as opposed to the four stars assigned to Mater Dei High of Santa Ana linebacker Shaun Scott who signed with USC on May 11. But Johnson produces, as his eye-popping statistics attest.
Last year against Redlands High, Johnson tackled a receiver breaking away on a reverse so hard that he nearly landed on the running track.
Against Beaumont, Johnson bolted into the backfield and corralled Cougar quarterback Jeremiah Duhu, dumping him on his head for a 3-yard loss.
During a water break at last week’s practice, Johnson was asked if he has a goal.
“I want to get better day by day and help the team win the championship,” he said.
— JOHN MURPHY
OTHER INLAND LINEBACKER TO WATCH
Evan Abeln, Sr., Los Osos: Led the Grizzlies with 71 tackles and nine sacks and earned all-CIF Southern Section honors.
Jeremiah D. Brown, San Jacinto: The Oregon State commit is looking for a strong finish after battling injuries last season.
Matthew Casas, Sr., Beaumont: Veteran middle linebacker led the Cougars with 102 tackles and forced a pair of fumbles.
Logan Coleman, Jr., Chaparral: Made impact during his sophomore campaign and is the team’s top returning tackler (54).
Evan Espinoza, Sr., REV
Vincent Evans. Sr., Temecula Valley
Owen Fiorenza, So. Alta Loma:
Isaac Galiza, Sr., Patriot
Ismael Gonzalez, Jr., Citrus Valley:
Dustin Higgenbotham, Sr., Paloma Valley:
Abalardo Leos, Sr., Murrieta Valley
Troy Long, Sr., Ramona: Tallied 271 tackles over the the past two seasons while earning all-CIF Southern Section honors.
Brennan Martinez, Sr., Vista Murrieta: Middle linebacker had 95 tackles and also led the Broncos with four interceptions.
Madden Mayer, Jr., Linfield Christian: Had a breakthrough sophomore campaign, leading the Lions with 131 tackles.
Jonathan McKinley II, Sr., Centennial: Cal commit and reigning IE Varsity Defensive Player of the Year tallied 10.5 sacks.
Fifita Tauteoli-Moore, Sr., Centennial: Returning starter is headed to Princeton and part of a strong group of linebackers.
Bronson Pulu, So., Valley View: Had 54 tackles and was 1 of only 4 freshmen to earn all-CIF Southern Section honors.
Evan Ramos, Sr., Summit: Led the SkyHawk defense with 84 tackles while picking up all-CIF Southern Section honors.
Riley Ramos, Sr., Arrowhead Christian
Anthony Rucker, Sr., San Gorgonio: Had a team-high 126 tackles for the Spartans and was all-CIF Southern Section.
Fabian Ruvalcaba, Sr., Norte Vista:
Ryder Smith, Sr., Great Oak: Idaho State commit had 133 tackles and also lead the Wolfpack with 1,369 rushing yards.
Sean Thompson, Sr., Diamond Bar
Tyler Willerford, Sr., Elsinore:
— ERIC-PAUL JOHNSON
Originally Published:
