Scouting Report: 2024 Wisconsin Football Commit Dillan Johnson

The Wisconsin football program has had some trials and tribulations in defensive line recruiting to start the new era under Luke Fickell. However, UW righted the ship and successfully flipped a commitment from former Northwestern commit Dillan Johnson.

Heading North! @HilltoppersFB @JCAwrestling @rudysgymjoliet @BadgerWrestling @WisFBRecruiting pic.twitter.com/cUuM8Hmtay

— Dillan M Johnson (@DillanMJohnson1) July 12, 2023

“I’ve always liked Wisconsin,” Johnson told 247Sports. “That’s why this was such a natural choice. Coach Fick, and Hitsch are wrestlers and of course, Coach Fick has been in my situation. Coach Scruggs has played at every level and will make me better.”

According to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, Johnson is the No. 933 player in the nation, the No. 92 DL, and the No. 19 player in Illinois.

Johnson, who will also wrestle at UW, has some physical tools and enormous upside that could make him a big contributor. Here’s a look at the strengths of the newest Badger.

Wisconsin Football Commit Dillan Johnson’s Scouting Report

The first thing that stands out about Johnson is his frame and how he uses it. Coming from a wrestling background, the three-star prospect knows how to create leverage and does so extremely well. Plus, his frame allows him to be a big run-stopper on the defensive front.

Johnson is as physical as they come. He doesn’t have the quickest burst, but he more than makes up for it with his well-rounded technique and brute strength. The Illinois native also shows promise when facing double teams with his patience and ability to react quickly and stop a ball carrier.

Johnson is a prototypical Wisconsin defensive lineman; tough, disciplined, and physical with a big stature. The three-star prospect will add to his frame when he arrives in Madison, and that will be scary for opposing linemen. Johnson already has the athletic measurables, and adding to his frame will make him an absolute wrecking ball on the defensive front.

A little aside here, but after looking at some of Johnson’s tape, I’m surprised this kid isn’t rated higher. He’s flown under the radar while putting out some fantastic reps on film. Plus, there is some tremendous upside in Johnson’s game if he can just work to refine some of his strengths.

I think the Keeanu Benton comp is the obvious one here, and Johnson fits that comparison to a tee.

Johnson is yet another addition to a standout 2024 recruiting class. As it stands, Wisconsin holds the No. 18 recruiting class in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite.

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