Notre Dame has officially signed star Indiana athlete Brauntae Johnson. The Fort Wayne native was the top in-state target for the Irish in the 2024 class, and he gave the Irish the high-ceiling safety it needed in this class.
BRAUNTAE JOHNSON PROFILE
Hometown/High School: Fort Wayne, Ind./North Side
Height/Weight: 6-3, 170
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0
Recruited By: Chris O'Leary
Offers: Notre Dame, Miami (Fla.), Tennessee, Penn State, Wisconsin, Auburn, Iowa, Washington, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Missouri, Louisville, Illinois, Purdue, Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas, Colorado
2023 Stats: 457 passing yards, 312 rushing yards, 56 receiving yards, 7 TD, 7 tackles
2022 Stats: 1,081 receiving yards, 17 TD, 23 tackles, 1 INT
2021 Stats: 297 receiving yards, 3 TD, 27 tackles, 1 INT, 4 FF
Career Stats: 2,030 receiving yards, 457 passing yards, 367 rushing yards, 35 total touchdowns, 60 tackles, 2 INT, 4 forced fumbles
Honors: 3x All-Summit Conference selection
Player Comp: Justin Simmons, Boston College
RECRUITING RANKINGS
Rivals: 4-star - No. 67 overall - No. 5 safety
247Sports: 4-star - No. 179 overall - No. 17 safety
ESPN: 4-star - No. 279 overall - No. 22 ATH
On3: 4-star - No. 11 ATH
On3 Consensus: 4-star - No. 173 overall - No. 8 ATH
247Sports Composite: 4-star - No. 174 overall - No. 15 safety
NOTRE DAME FIT
Johnson is an outstanding two-way player for North Side, and he's a more productive wide receiver than he is a safety. He could easily play wideout at the next level, but safety is where his game is ideally suited from an upside and potential standpoint. Johnson has the kind of range and coverage potential that Notre Dame has largely lacked with its safety signees since signing Kyle Hamilton back in 2019.
BREAKING DOWN JOHNSON
Bryan Driskell, Owner: "Notre Dame needed an impact safety in this class and Johnson has all the tools to become that player. He's a long athlete with outstanding long speed and range. Johnson is a smooth defender that shows easy change of direction and transition skills. Notre Dame needs safeties that can play the post/deep middle, and Johnson has the potential to be outstanding playing over the top. But he's not just skinny and fast, Johnson is a willing hitter that can come downhill and strike. He'll need to add a lot of strength and fill out his frame, but Johnson has everything else you want and need at safety. He oozes potential and playmaking ability, something Notre Dame clearly needs a lot more of at safety."
Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director: "In terms of range, upside, and length on the backend, there aren't many more physically gifted athletes than Johnson. He is a true centerfielder, boasting tremendous talents working from depth. Johnson is the type of versatile cover man who can bring a lot of possibilities to the table. As Johnson fills out his frame, he should also become a tremendous asset in the run game. In the end, Johnson can be as good as the work he puts in."
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