The Johnson family’s football legacy at Virginia Tech will continue, as linebacker from Highland Springs announced his commitment to the Hokies. Known as “Peanut,” the senior will join his brother Braylon, a sophomore at Virginia Tech, and follow the path of his father Loren, a former player for the Hokies in the ‘90s and the current coach at Highland Springs. Brennan shared his decision on X, posting a graphic of himself in a Hokies uniform surrounded by photos of his brother and father, captioned, “The Legacy Continues!!”
Rated as a three-star recruit and the No. 30 linebacker nationally by 247Sports, Brennan received numerous offers from programs such as Virginia, Maryland, James Madison, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Last season, Brennan earned first-team All-Metro honors and was named the Class 6 Defensive Player of the Year. In 12 games, he recorded 76 tackles (49 solo), eight tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and three pass breakups. As a sophomore, he was just as dominant, amassing 90 tackles (60 solo), 22 tackles for loss, four sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, six pass breakups, and two interceptions, securing first-team All-Metro and Class 5 Defensive Player of the Year titles.
This season, Brennan has helped lead the Springers to a 5-2 start, showcasing his versatility by stepping in at running back against Douglas Freeman for the first time since childhood, rushing four times for 35 yards. “I had to step up to the plate and as a team player, that’s what I do,” he said. His father, Coach Loren Johnson, emphasized that “everybody’s got to be prepared to do everything.”
The Legacy Continues!! pic.twitter.com/9HqGQNkhZd
— Brennan Johnson¹ (@bj2turntt) October 20, 2024
Whether it’s making plays on defense, like his sack against Manchester in the season opener, or contributing on offense, Brennan continues to demonstrate his all-around athleticism. Though once listed as a linebacker, he now plays safety for Highland Springs.
Brennan Johnson played a key role in helping Highland Springs secure the Class 5 state title over Maury in 2022, alongside his brother Braylon. Braylon, a three-star safety recruit out of Highland Springs according to 247Sports, made an impact in his senior year with first-team All-Metro and all-state honors. He tallied 25 tackles (three for loss), two interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, nine pass breakups, and a blocked kick, while also contributing offensively with 12 catches for 291 yards and three touchdowns. In 2021, he earned second-team All-Metro recognition.
Braylon went on to play as a defensive back for Virginia Tech, appearing in 12 games last season and recording seven tackles. Now, he and Brennan will share the experience of walking the Virginia Tech campus together, just as their father, Coach Loren Johnson, did. Coach Johnson played for the Hokies from 1995 to 1998 under legendary coach Frank Beamer, overlapping with current head coach Brent Pry, who was a graduate assistant for the first three seasons.
Coach Johnson was a four-year starter and two-time All-Big East selection during his time at Virginia Tech. After his playing career, he transitioned into coaching and became the head coach at Highland Springs in 2008, leading the team to five state championships since. He has produced numerous future Hokies, including six current players: Braylon Johnson, wide receivers Ali Jennings and Takye Heath, safety Noah Jenkins, defensive lineman Kevin Gilliam Jr., and linebacker Darius Taylor.
Virginia Tech’s offensive recruiting coordinator, Fontel Mines, who is also an assistant head coach and wide receivers coach, played a role in recruiting both Johnson brothers. A former University of Virginia standout, Mines joined the Hokies’ staff in 2022, just in time to bring the brothers to Blacksburg.
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