Zach Johnson is the senior starting quarterback on Hart’s football team. After many successful years with the Indians, he verbally committed to the University of California, Berkeley, where he plans on majoring in business or economics, in the fall of 2019 and officially signed in the spring of 2020. Aside from the astounding athletic program Berkeley has, their prestigious educational programs helped Johnson finalize his decision.

“I really connected with the coaching staff and it is a great academic school that will benefit me greatly after college. I’m really excited about the opportunity to get a great education while also playing the sport I love,” said Johnson.

Playing for a school that consistently ranks in the top 25 in the nation for football, Johnson will quickly have to adapt to the high intensity that comes with playing on a Division 1 Pac 12 team.  

“My goal is to work as hard as I can to give myself an opportunity to play,” Johnson said.

The competitive atmosphere is not unfamiliar to the quarterback who has been playing football for 12 years. Not only was he the starting quarterback as a senior, but he spent his junior year as a starter on the field as well. Having played against many skilled teams in both league and CIF playoffs, Johnson has prepared himself well for the next step in his career.

Since he verbally committed early in the fall, he was able to play his last season at Hart with enjoyment. 

“Once I committed, I was excited and also a little relieved. I was able to lift that weight off my shoulders and play my last season without thinking about the recruiting process,” Johnson said.

Although he remains excited for this new adventure in his life, he is grateful for the fans he has always had behind him at Hart, showing encouragement during every game. 

“I just want to shout out the student section this year. There was always a lot of people coming out and cheering which makes the game even more exciting for us, so thank you to The Tribe.”