Eden Johnson has been a fast learner at Kutztown University

Eden Johnson went to Kutztown University football games as a kid with his dad Darryl, who played cornerback for the Golden Bears in the early 1990’s.

Many people don’t appreciate the high level of play that goes on in the Pennsylvania Conference, or that Kutztown has reached in recent years.

Eden Johnson found out about that at an early age. He dad, who coached youth football in Philadelphia, prepared him for the challenges he would face when he arrived at KU.

“You could say that,” the Governor Mifflin grad said with a knowing smile. “I definitely knew it was good ball.”

Johnson played at a high level with the Mustangs. He was a hard-hitting defensive back on the 2020 team that featured Nick Singleton and claimed the program’s first district 3 championship.

He took over as quarterback the following season on a team that averaged 48 points per game and was ranked No. 1 in the state much of the season.

He arrived at Kutztown in 2022 with an understanding of the game that far exceeded that of most freshmen. He immediately threw himself into the Golden Bears’ playbook and absorbed their defensive system.

“He’s a guy who took the playbook very seriously,” said defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Eric Fargo.

Golden Bears head coach Jim Clements said Johnson was advanced enough to play as a true freshman but opted to redshirt him to aid his development.

“He’s a student of the game,” Clements said. “He’s definitely one of our most instinctual players.”

Johnson used those instincts, as well as his physical tools, to earn a starting berth last season as a redshirt sophomore. He led the best defense in the PSAC in tackles and ended up earning all-conference first-team honors at outside linebacker.

“It definitely meant a lot (to me),” Johnson said of the selection, “(especially being part of) a championship team. It’s a lot of hard work.”

The 5-10, 200-pound Johnson has never been afraid of working hard. He showed that at Mifflin, where he was named Berks Defensive Back of the Year and selected for the PaFootballNews.com Class 5A All-State team at safety.

He played cornerback as a junior and safety as a senior. Clements didn’t necessarily project him as a linebacker coming out of Mifflin, he just saw a heady, physical player he wanted on his roster.

“We just wanted to get a good athlete, and he was that,” Clements said. “We knew we could get him somewhere on our defense. He could play field safety, boundary safety; he can play a lot of different spots for us.”

Johnson got on the field much quicker than most players at KU. He saw time on special teams and at linebacker in 15 games as a redshirt freshman in 2023.

Last season he earned a starting spot out of summer camp, made 60 tackles, had 3.5 sacks, two interceptions and broke up six passes for a defense that was ranked No. 1 in the conference in total defense, rushing defense, passing defense, and scoring defense.

“He’s a vital piece to the defense,” Fargo said.

Johnson said his rapid success at the college level came from learning the system and preparation.

“I’m (always) watching film, seeing what mistakes I made, how I can improve,” he said.

“He separated himself here by just understanding football, where to be (on the field),” said teammate Brandon Strausser, who played with him at Mifflin. “He just has the football smarts. He’s able to be where the ball is no matter what.”

The Golden Bears open their season Thursday vs. Assumption at Andre Reed Stadium once again favored to win the Eastern Conference and claim their third straight PSAC title. They are ranked No. 7 in the nation in Division II; they ended last season at No. 5.

Johnson, now a redshirt junior, is a big reason why. He may not be the most experienced player on the defensive unit but Fargo looks at him as the leader.

“He runs the shows,” Fargo said. “His teammates trust him. He’s able to remind them what to do, where to line up, what’s coming. As a leader, he’s not just worried about his job, he’s worried about the big picture. He’s really able to put it all together. He fills a huge role us.”

Fargo believes Johnson’s experience as a quarterback – he also played that spot at West Catholic in 2019 before transferring to Mifflin – helped him gain a deeper understanding of the game. That shows up on defense where he has a knack of knowing where the play’s going and getting to the ball.

“He’s got a good sense for the game,” Clements said.

“I watched his high school film,” Fargo said. “I couldn’t wait to coach him. He knows defense, he knows offense, he knows special teams. He knows what the quarterback’s looking at. He understands formations, personnel: He’s a student of the game.”

Johnson has helped Kutztown go 23-4 over the past two seasons. He’s confident that success can continue.

“We’ve got a lot of dudes who have played big-time football, have played in playoff games, played in championship games,” he said. “It hurt bad (losing to East Stroudsburg in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament last year). We’ve gotta get back and make it right this time.”