Johnson led the Polars past Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Tuesday and he finished with a very impressive six TDs, including three rushing and three passing.
Tyler Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 179-pound rising senior from Minneapolis (MN) North who is one of the state’s top two-sport athletes, recently committed to Minnesota over offers from Iowa, Wisconsin and others, as well as North Dakota State in basketball.
Johnson has helped lead Minneapolis North to an 9-0 start with five shutout victories. Their 36-35 loss to St. Paul Central was ruled a forfeit as Central used an ineligible player. Johnson led the Polars past Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Tuesday and he finished with a very impressive six TDs, including three rushing and three passing.
On the hardwood, Johnson averaged 15.7 points per game as the Polars finished 24-7 on the hardwood, losing to Marantha 69-67 in overtime. He scored in double figures in all but five games and had eight games of twenty or more points, including a season-high 30 points. Johnson shot 45.9% from the field, 68.0% from the line and 28.3% from beyond the arc. He passed the 1,000 point mark for his career during the season.
Gopher Hole caught up with Johnson to learn more about his decision.
Gopher Hole: You committed to Minnesota about a week ago. What was the main reason that you decided to make the decision then?
Tyler Johnson: I just decided because that is where I felt was home. Growing up a fan, I just feel like it is a dream come true, just to be able to play for the Minnesota Gophers.
Gopher Hole: Had you planned on committing at that time for a while or did it just happen?
Tyler Johnson: I would say, it just happened. I talked it over with my parents earlier in the week and the day that I committed, it was just final. It was just on my mind on my mind a lot last week, so that is just why I did it
Gopher Hole: You hadn’t taken any officials yet, right?
Tyler Johnson: Right. I am taking an official on the 31st. (the weekend of the Michigan game).
Gopher Hole: I know that you just committed, but do you feel a little bit of a weight lifted off your shoulder already having that decision done, so you can concentrate on the rest of your senior season?
Tyler Johnson: Yes, especially since we have a state tournament run that we are looking forward to make, so I feel that I have got a lot of weight off my shoulder by that.
Gopher Hole: What has been the reaction of your family and friends so far?
Tyler Johnson: Everybody is just proud of me. Everybody just congratulating from left to right and I just feel proud.
Gopher Hole: We had talked before about Minnesota making it a priority to get the top in-state kids to commit. You were one of the few that had an offer that hadn’t committed. Does that make that even more special being a local kid?
Tyler Johnson: Yes. It means a lot. It means a lot because I can come out and represent my state. Represent where I really came from, so that is why I feel like I can just mean a lot to this city.
Gopher Hole: What are the expectations for the rest of the reason?
Tyler Johnson: The expectations are very high. We are looking forward to coming out and winning a state championship. We came pretty close last year, but we want to get better and get further this year.
Gopher Hole: You haven’t really been battle-tested much this season except for the game against St. Paul Central. Is it a case where you would like to have a few more tough games or it is what is?
Tyler Johnson: It is what it is. Just like the games coming up, we just want to be able to take care of business. At the end of the day, we want to get the “W.”
Gopher Hole: You had offers from Iowa, Iowa State and Wisconsin. How hard was it to tell those schools no?
Tyler Johnson: I just wanted to tell them no, but thank you for giving me the opportunity to come to your school, but I hope that you accept the fact that I feel like I want to be a Gopher. So, that is how it is and hopefully, they understand.