Dylan "DJ" Johnson '25 Recruiting Profile

8/24 update: The 2024 High School Fall sports edition of southjersey.com magazine listed South Jersey athletes to watch in varsity sports. In the boys soccer preview section, they listed a picture of me with the following: "Eastern graduated most of its offensive playmakers, but is thrilled to welcome back senior center back Dylan Johnson, a starter since his freshman year and an all-conference first team selection last season. Johnson also served as a captain last fall and will continue to provide leadership on and off the field."  

I strive to be a great student - both on the field and in the classroom.  I want to play soccer at the next level and understand playing in college requires the desire to have these attributes.  

I try to be the best teammate on the field by being respectful to my coaches, the officials, my opponents, and my teammates.  They know I am someone they can trust and rely on. I love to compete and enter every match with the confidence to win. 

As a graduating 8th grader from Middle School, I was voted Team Captain and MVP for the soccer team.  Academically, I received an 'Outstanding Character Award' for demonstrating outstanding character and the 'South Jersey Chinese Community Center Science Award' for demonstrating outstanding achievements in science.  I am thankful for these awards because I was nominated for, and chosen by, my teachers and peers to receive them.

As an incoming Freshman to Eastern Regional Highschool, I made the Varsity team and became a starter.  In my Sophomore season, I was named 2nd Team All Conference Defender - a great honor being I was the only underclassmen recognized with the other Defenders chosen being Seniors. As a junior, I was chosen as Team Captain, am a 1st Team All Conference Defender, an All-State selection, and was Defensive Player of the Year. 

I am also a NJ State ODP Player for my age group - 2007, and we won the East Region Championship.  My final ODP Evaluation for 2022 noted: "A very strong centerback. Able to play out of the back under pressure to progress the ball up the thirds. Able to lead the team when in defensive shape. When isolated or defending counters extremely reliable."  In 2023, I again participated in ODP and was invited to the East Region Player ID Camp.

For the Medford Strikers, I am a 2007 playing with our 2006 Academy team full time.  This past summer, I also played U23 against current college level players.

If I continue to physically mature and grow as predicted by my doctor in highschool, I'll be an incoming 6'4" / 6'5" college freshman in the fall of 2025.  Please check out some of my highlights to date and you'll see a smart, tough, fast player with great field vision and a strong foot.