There's a reason they call linemen 'the big uglies'.
They’re the big boys up front that take hits on every play and do the dirty work while skill positions make the flashy plays.
Just don't tell that to Dublin's Nasir Johnson.
“A lot of people my size can't do a lot of things like that,” the Fighting Irish's senior defensive lineman said. “For me to have that special talent where I can move like a skill player, it's something I actually take pride in. My mindset is being a big guy with a skinny mindset so you can do things like that.”
What kind of things?
Last year Johnson took to Twitter to post a video of himself performing a double backflip -- at six-foot-five, 300 pounds.
That’s a feat impressive by anyone's standards and Twitter agreed.
The four-star's flipping took off, as the post received attention from across the country.
Meanwhile, it was Nasir receiving the same attention from college programs everywhere.
“A lot of coaches were stunned and astounded by how good I can move at my size so it showed a lot of interest,” Johnson said.
Furthermore, for defensive linemen, the tape doesn't always tell the full story.
“You might find a guy that's quick or explosive,” Dublin head coach Roger Holmes said. “But finding one at six-five, 300 is not the easiest thing in the world to do. That video being out on social media really tweaked a lot of interest of people coming in and taking a look at him.”
Nasir now has more than 15 Division I offers and in June, he committed to the University of Florida.
And while some might sit back and slow down, he's actually doing the opposite this season. “It just tells me you can never settle for what you already have and push for more and get better,” Johnson said. “You have this in your hands now. Don't just chill and rest. Work to push yourself ahead. Be ahead of the game by the time you get to the game.”
There’s no doubt about it – Nasir Johnson is one of the best to ever put on a Dublin uniform.
“In my 41 years as a head football coach, he's had more power five Division I offers than any player I've ever had,” Holmes said.
Now, he’s trying to do the same at the next level, as Nasir flips his was to Florida to join the Gators.
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