Without starting a game, Lincoln sophomore QB Johnson already has big-time offers
Chance Bogan remembers the first time he was wowed by quarterback Gabarri Johnson. He was in eighth grade, playing for Truman Middle School’s football team. Johnson, in seventh grade at the time, was the QB for First Creek Middle School.
As Bogan recalls, on First Creek’s opening drive, Johnson threw a deep touchdown pass, hitting his receiver perfectly in stride.
“He dropped the most beautiful dime,” Bogan said. “It was insane. Right past the defender. I was like, ‘This guy can throw.’”
It hasn’t taken long for big-time colleges to see what Bogan saw that day. Johnson, going into his sophomore year at Lincoln High School, is in line to be the Abes’ starting quarterback this season, after spending his freshman year as the backup to Caden Filer.
Johnson, who has never started a high school football game, already holds offers from Washington State, Utah, Arizona State and Florida Atlantic. That’s a rarity in the recruiting world. One recent example from the state is Mount Si’s Clay Millen, who received an offer from Oregon during the summer following his freshman year, when he backed up his brother, Cale.
7on7 teams — Johnson plays for Ford Sports Performance, alongside Kennedy Catholic five-star recruit Sam Huard, a UW commit — have allowed players to gain exposure outside of playing for their high school teams.
“As a dual-threat guy, when I saw him in 7on7, watch how he throws, his demeanor; the only thing he’s missing is reps,” said Brandon Huffman, national recruiting editor for 247sports.com.
Johnson is considered a 4-star recruit on 247sports.com and is ranked as the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the country in the 2023 class.
“Most people say I’m Lamar Jackson,” Johnson said. “I’m a dual-threat. I can throw, run, do it all.”
Sometimes, the “dual-threat” moniker has a negative connotation, as to imply the quarterback has to run because he’s not an elite passer. But that’s not the case with Johnson, according to Lincoln coach Masaki Matsumoto.
“He’s truly a dual-threat QB who can throw and run well,” Matsumoto said. “When you hear the word dual-threat, you think more of a runner. He really can sling the ball, he’s super accurate. … He has a cannon for an arm.”
Working under the tutelage of someone like Huard at FSP has been beneficial, to say the least, for Johnson. Though Huard is a pro-style quarterback, there’s plenty for Johnson of knowledge for the young signal caller to soak up.
“He’s given me a lot of advice in every aspect — as a leader, on the field, off the field,” Johnson said. “Sam’s always in my ear and I thank him for that. He’s always there for me, we text each other all the time.”
Aside from the mechanics and throwing ability, it’s Huard’s presence that Johnson strives to emulate on the field.
“Just how he takes control of a game,” Johnson said. “I wouldn’t say we’re the exact same at that. But we can both control the game at our own pace. Seeing him play a lot, he’s always had control of the game. It works when you take control of the game as a quarterback.”
Johnson knows the hype surrounding him so early is just that right now: hype. He’s eager to be a starter and prove there’s merit to the early offers.
“I still have so many years of high school, so I’m just taking care of that first,” he said. “Knowing I have the offers and all that, it’s in the back of my mind right now. I’m going to be the starter this year, so what am I going to do for my team?
“I can’t even explain how bad I’m just ready. That whole year — I learned a lot from Caden and I thank him for that — but I’m ready to go and do my thing.”
Count on Bogan, now a junior tight end for Lincoln, to stay in Johnson’s corner. He’s still a believer, like he was when he lined up against Johnson in middle school. Now, more than ever.
“Gabarri will be the best quarterback in the nation, hands down,” Bogan said. “I don’t care if he’s ranked No. 2 right now. He’s No. 1. He’s a special talent.”
