Freshman QB Sam Johnson ready to take the reigns at Southfield High

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. - His highly-decorated little league career with the Westside Rams, and Detroit Spartans is over. It is time for Samuel Johnson III to enter the ninth-grade at Southfield (Mich.) High, and possibly take over as the starting quarterback there for the Bluejays. This will certainly be a big step for Johnson, but he said he is prepared.

"I'm still taking my time, and taking it one day at a time, but I'm prepared," Johnson said. "Cass Tech is a really good team, but we have too much talent, and we can beat them."

Yes, Johnson's first test of his high school career will be against Michigan powerhouse, Detroit Cass Tech, in the primetime game of the Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State August 28. You don't see too many teams starting a freshman quarterback, especially one like Southfield, who competes for titles every year. But Johnson isn't your regular 14-year-old. He's one of the best players in the nation in his class, and has a lot of buzz around him going into the season.

In the same breath, Johnson is a humble kid, despite all of the attention he has gotten since he was in the seventh-grade. But the 6-3, 175-pounder will be the first one to tell you that he hasn't earned anything, and was still battling it out with another player yesterday, at a 7-on-7 event at Farmington Hills (Mich.) Harrison.

"I think we did good today," said Johnson. "That was our first time getting together as team, and more should be expected of us the next time we come out here.

"It means a lot to be a freshman on varsity, and I want to lead these boys to a championship."

Johnson might be the leader in the quarterback competition, as he took the first-team reps yesterday at Harrison, and his first throw of the game explained why. His deep ball might be his best throw, but what was more impressive was his throw over the middle to a teammate for a touchdown. Johnson has had position training since he was a younger, and it shows. He is well beyond his years mechanics wise.

"I think I did pretty good today," he said. "I am just trying to get my timing better, so we can get better for the season. But I know I need to get better on my drops, leading the team better, and things like that."

Johnson hasn't even played one single high school game, and already holds two Division I scholarships from Akron and Ohio, becoming the first eighth-grader ever in the state of Michigan to do so. He also being coveted by some of he heavy-hitters in college football, including one in his own backyard, the University of Michigan.

"It feels good to have the two offers in the eight-grade, but I'm just working, and waiting on more to come," Johnson said. "I went down to Michigan's camp, and I did pretty good. I was throwing good balls, and they (Michigan coaches) pulled me, Trishton Jackson, and Brandon Gray, to the back, and told us we did good. They went over the film, so we will see what happens in a week or two."

Michigan should definitely be an offer than Johnson is able to pull sometime down the line, and as well as from Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Toledo, Indiana, and some others he has heard from on the recruiting trail.

So how has this quiet teenager been able to handle all of the hype, college interest, and media attention? Simple.

"I just try to keep working, and stay humble like I've been doing, and I don't let it effect me," Johnson said.