Tyler Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 179-pound senior from Minneapolis (MN) North, signed with Minnesota in February. Johnson, who is one of the state’s top two-sport athletes, was one of ten finalists for the Mr. Football Award and played in the recent Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association All-Star series.
Johnson helped lead Minneapolis North to a 12-1 record, losing to Minneota 35-18 in the Prep Bowl this season. Their 36-35 regular season loss to St. Paul Central was ruled a forfeit as Central used an ineligible player.
Johnson recently helped lead the Polars to Class A basketball state title as they defeated Goodhue 68-45 in the title game. Johnson was named to the Class A All-Tournament team after scored 32 points in the three state tournament games.
Johnson was named second team Associated Press All-State and second team Star Tribune All-Metro after averaging 15.6 points per game this season as the Polars finished 29-5.
Gopher Hole caught up with Johnson at the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association All-Star series to learn more about his senior season and becoming a future Gopher.
Gopher Hole: It’s been a few weeks since the state tournament. What has the feeling been since winning the state title?
Tyler Johnson: It has still been great. I’m glad that we finally got it done. It was a good feeling, finally getting it done, so I am just living the moment and glad that we were able to get the title.
Gopher Hole: You were, to be honest, the big favorites throughout the year to win the Class A title. Was there a sense of relief when you finally won the title?
Tyler Johnson: Oh, yes. Definitely. I’m glad that we could show everybody why we were ranked number one all season. I’m glad that we went out strong.
Gopher Hole: I know that we talked a lot about not only how important it was for you guys to win it, but for the community. Is that something that you have heard from people from Minneapolis?
Tyler Johnson: Definitely. Definitely. Everybody was calling us. They wanted us to win one. That is why I am glad we did it. I’m glad that we did it for my school, also for my community, The Riverside. I know that they are proud of us. I’m just glad that we got that accomplished.
Gopher Hole: What was the experience like playing in the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association All-Star series because this is probably the last time that you are going to play in a real basketball game?
Tyler Johnson: You know, it was good. Coming out here, playing with a lot of good high school players that are ending their high school career also. Getting to meet them and just talk to them and playing with them, it is a good feeling. We all come from different programs and we are all very different. A game like this is pretty fun. Just going out here and playing and having a lot of fun out here.
Gopher Hole: Had you even explored the possibility of playing both sports at Minnesota or is it just too hard to do at that level?
Tyler Johnson: As of now, I’m not sure. I’ll know pretty soon, though.
Gopher Hole: Is that something that you have talked to the coaches about?
Tyler Johnson: I just thought about it myself if I want to or if I don’t.
Gopher Hole: Will it be hard not playing basketball because you have been playing the sport for a long time?
Tyler Johnson: It might be, but then again. It is just going to pretty cool.
Gopher Hole: Now you are going to get into football mode. What things are you going to be working on leading up to June when you start camp?
Tyler Johnson: Just going to be getting big in the weight room and that’s it.
Gopher Hole: What have they talked to you about your role? To be honest, a lot of freshman will redshirt. What have they said?
Tyler Johnson: They haven’t said a thing about that yet. They are just telling me to stay in the weight room and try to get big.
Gopher Hole: We had talked before about the bond with the other Minnesota kids that were part of the Gopher recruiting class. You have a good bond with a lot of them. What is it going to be like to be able to go into Minnesota with a lot of guys from the area?
Tyler Johnson: It is going to be good because we finally get to represent our state and turn the program around.
Gopher Hole: You played in a high school All-State football game a few months ago. What was that experience like?
Tyler Johnson: It was great. I’m glad that I got to meet players from different states and see the way that they play and the type of things that they do. All great players in their state, so it was just a good feeling going out there and playing with a lot of those guys.
Gopher Hole: You made some big plays as a wide receiver? I know originally there was some thought that you would play defensive back. What are they saying to you about position at Minnesota?
Tyler Johnson: Wide receiver.
Gopher Hole: Is that something you like more after playing the position in the All-Star game?
Tyler Johnson: Yes. That is one of the reasons why they gave me the position of wide receiver. They say that they want the ball in my hands and me to go and make a play.
Gopher Hole: Was that where they thought about you more as playing wide receiver after the All-Star game or had they thought about it before then?
Tyler Johnson: They thought about it before. They said they weren’t sure about what position I should play at the time, but around signing day, that is when they finally made up their mind.
Gopher Hole: What things do you have to work on to improve those wide receiver skills? Obviously, you have the athletic ability, it’s just a position that you haven’t played a lot. What things do you need to work on as a wide receiver?
Tyler Johnson: I’ve got to watch a lot of film about wide receivers. Footwork. Getting stronger with my hands and going to catch the ball.