Scouting Report and Highlights: Gators DL Commit Nasir Johnson

What kind of skill set does Dublin (Ga.) defensive lineman Nasir Johnson bring to the Florida Gators trenches?

Florida is the hottest program on the recruiting trail at this time. 

Reeling in seven commitments in a 55-hour span from Saturday through Monday, the 2024 commitment class is up to 16 pledges, with an influx of talent scheduled to line Billy Napier's roster beginning in January.

During the run on talent, the heavy emphasis the staff has placed on the trenches headlined the surge of commitments. Defensive line coach Sean Spencer was at the forefront of the outburst as three players in his position group pledged their loyalty to the Gators. 

Among the pack was Dublin (Ga.) interior defensive lineman Nasir Johnson, who shared his intentions to suit up in orange and blue at the next level alongside DL Amari Williams and LB Aaron Chiles at Spurrier's Gridiron Grille during dinner for official visitors at the restaurant on Saturday.

His alignment with Florida patches a glaring need for depth in the middle of the defensive line.

In anticipation of his arrival in Gainesville following high school graduation, All Gators provides an in-depth scouting report analyzing the strengths and areas needing improvement from Johnson's skill set.

Scouting Report: Gators DL Commit Nasir Johnson

Florida's goal of stacking monstrous, but nimble, pieces in the defensive trenches is shaping up nicely with the addition of Johnson.

He fits the billing.

Johnson's tape consists of snaps on both sides of the ball for the Fighting Irish, split nearly 50/50 between his reps at right tackle and his interior defensive line duties.  

He's slated to assume the latter position upon his arrival at the collegiate level and possesses the size, length and athletic tendencies (reported 5.02-second 40-yard dash and 30-inch vertical) to excel as the Gators' three-to-five-technique defensive lineman in Austin Armstrong's multiple-front scheme.

At first glance, the 6-foot-4, 300-pound Peach State product is a towering, penetrating run-stuffing presence who fits the mold of SEC-caliber iDL talent in the modern era.

He carries the weight on his frame well for someone over the 300-pound threshold, and could withstand adding more mass in his lower half without losing the potential as a mover that made him a desirable prospect for Spencer and Co.

In addition, his hand usage is above average for defensive linemen at this stage in their career, a testament to his wrestling background as a multi-sport athlete — also playing basketball and participating in track and field. Showcasing more than just power upon initial engagement, Johnson's well-placed and well-timed hands allow him to shed blockers with relative ease.

It usually results in him working upfield into the backfield, compiling tackles for loss or redirecting ball carrier out of his hole into the waiting arms of teammates.

There are some concerns regarding his lateral movement when forced to slide along the line of scrimmage in the future. It's caused mainly by his propensity to stand upright — both during the play and during pre-snap on occasion — and push vertically into the backfire, given the significant strength and size advantage he holds over most competition.

When performing against SEC-caliber offensive linemen with similar traits, Johnson's pad level, three-point stance anchor and footwork will be a priority point of emphasis from the Florida staff. 

He's displayed the athleticism and agility needed to progress in those areas quickly — on tape and in the form of a roundoff-to-backflip he executed in April 2022.

But, he'll have to consistently piece together the impressive combination of attributes in order to produce at the most effective clip.

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