El Camino Defensive Lineman Signs with BYU

FORT WORTH, Texas -- BYU head football coach Bronco Mendenhall announced today that defensive lineman Marques Johnson out of El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., has signed a national letter of intent to attend BYU starting in January.

 

"Marques is a talented young man who has achieved success both on and off the field,” Mendenhall said. “He is an excellent football player and student with a strong work ethic. We look forward to having him join our program.”

 

Johnson is a 6-2, 305-pound defensive tackle from Los Angeles who attended Westchester High School prior to two seasons at El Camino College. He will enter BYU as a junior with three years to complete his two remaining seasons of eligibility. 

 

As a sophomore at El Camino in 2011, Johnson helped the No. 6-ranked Warriors to an 8-3 record as one of the top teams in the Southern California Football Association.  Coached by John Featherstone, the Warriors boasted one of the top defenses in the SCFA, ranking in the top-10 in seven categories. El Camino was No. 2 in the league in sacks (38), pass defense (176.5 yards allowed per game), scoring defense (19.6 ppg allowed) and first downs allowed (155). The Warriors also ranked No. 3 in total defense (288.5 total yards allowed per game) and No. 6 in rush defense (112 yards allowed per game).

 

Johnson earned first-team Northern Conference All-Defense accolades in 2011 while totaling 41 tackles, including 22 solo takedowns, from his nose tackle position. He led the team with 14.5 tackles-for-loss for 48 yards, including four sacks for 21 yards as well as one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Someone who works hard in the weight room, Johnson’s preparation paid off with big plays in big games as he registered team single-game highs of 3.5 tackles for loss against both No. 13 Cerritos and No. 1 Mt. San Antonio. 

 

As a freshman in 2010 he contributed 37 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and 2 quarterback hurries in 10 games.

 

Johnson was also recruited by a number of other schools, including Washington State and Indiana.