Why wrestling is at foundation of Wisconsin football recruit Dillan Johnson's success

MADISON – Dillan Johnson found a perfect marriage between football and wrestling.

“There is a different mentality you need for wrestling and that translates well to football,” the Wisconsin football recruit said. “Just the overall conditioning and just learning to move your body, it translates real well to being on the D-line and learning how to navigate pressure and make sure you’re moving the right way when you’re passing rushing.”

The 6-foot-2, 284-pound defensive tackle from Joliet Catholic Academy just outside of Chicago is the rare Division I prospect who is a more highly regarded competitor in his "other" sport.

The senior is considered a four-star football prospect, according to 247sports, and a three-star recruit by Rivals, ESPN and On3. On the mat, Johnson is the No. 1 ranked high school heavyweight in the country by FloWrestling and No. 2 by Sports Illustrated.

Will he try compete in both sports at UW?

“I’m still trying to figure it all out,” he said.

There is a lot to consider. The football-wrestling double is rare because of the overlap of seasons and physical demands of each sport. What Johnson is certain of at this point is that wrestling has made him a better football player.

In addition to aforementioned physical benefits, Johnson says the sport fosters a level of concentration.

“You have to stay focused on what you can control, your breathing, your technique," he said. "You’re really not letting anything get to you which helps. In football if a team is down, you stay focused on what you can do. If a team is doing good, you still stay focused on what you’ve got to do, which helps you block out stuff that can get in your way.”

Dillan Johnson's senior year included football finals run, 4th wrestling title

Johnson won big during his prep career. As a sophomore he helped the football team win a state title and this year he led the Hilltoppers to the championship game. The wrestling team made three straight trips to the state team tournament.

As a senior he made 82 tackles, including seven for a loss. Johnson also sacked the quarterback 10 times and forced a fumble. He received all-state distinction from the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association and Chicago Sun -Times.

Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell believes Johnson could provide immediate help at what is a position of need.

"I think the thing he gives an opportunity when he walks in the door here is, he is the culture of what we’re continuing to push here," the coach said in December on early signing day. "When he walks in I think he has a chance to thrive. He’s a very physical guy … a guy who has an incredible amount of intangibles to come in and contribute and play right away."

Johnson went 41-1 this wrestling season, won his fourth state championship and helped his team reach the quarterfinals of team state.

He finished with a 143-1 career record and great pride for the improvement he made in the sport.

“Going into freshman year I had only one takedown and barely any type of setups," he said. "But now I feel like I’ve been working on the hand fighting, I feel like I can hit a lot of different shots, a lot of different moves now. I’m proud of the growth I've had.”

Football is in Dillan Johnson's genes

The end of the wrestling season marked the first time since early August Johnson had any significant time off. He stepped away from all physical activity last week and has been easing into his offseason workouts.

Guilding him though the process is father, Eric, who played 10 seasons in the CFL, XFL and indoor leagues. His older brother, Eric, plays for the Indianapolis Colts. Another brother, Marcellus, played at Eastern Michigan and Missouri.

Eric Sr. played defensive line, experience he shares with Dillan.

“It helps a lot,” Johnson said. “A lot of people have a coach, but I’ve got a dad who knows what he’s talking about. It’s like having a good coach 24-7. Even when I’m at home. I can always ask and he can always show me.”

Nebraska's Nash Hutmacher is standout in both football and wrestling

While there are similarity in the benefits of wrestling and playing football, the training is different.

Football and playing the defensive line is more about explosive movement. Wrestling is a test of endurance.

That is one of the challenges that must be considerd when attempting to do both sports at the next level. Johnson plans to discuss the issue with Fickell, who was a standout high school wrestler, and defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow.

There would be a lot to iron out. How would competing in both sports look on a daily and weekly basis? And what about the physical demands? Football and wrestling can be tough on the body.

The double can be done successfully. Nebraska's Nash Hutmacher, an honorable mention all-Big Ten selection this past season, qualified for the NCAA championships at 285 pounds. Iowa's Ben Kueter, who also competes at 285, is another one pulling double-duty.

Johnson’s wrestled at 270-275 pounds this season and says his ideal football weight for the upcoming season is 285-290, which would leave him without much weigh to drop in order to wrestle.

Will he need to again? Time will tell but at the moment his focus is getting ready for football season.

"For sure right now we’re not planning on doing any offseason wrestling," he said. "I report June 8 or 9. There’s really no time, really no point in doing any offseason wrestling in Fargo (North Dakota) or whatnot because I have to train for football, get ready, get as prepared as I can for college."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wrestling has helped Wisconsin football recruit Dillan Johnson