EWU #10
All-American LB Zach Johnson
2011: Listed as a starter at middle linebacker on preseason depth chart. College Football Performance Awards selected him as one of the top 41 returning linebackers in FCS in 2011. Earned preseason All-Big Sky Conference honors as selected by the league’s media and sports information directors, and was also a first-team All-BSC selection by Phil Steele’s FCS College Football Preview.
2010: Started all 15 games and earned second-team All-Big Sky Conference honors after a blood clot in his leg sidelined him for the entire 2009 season. He helped the Eagle defense rank first nationally in interceptions (total of 26) and turnovers gained (47), and finish sixth nationally in red zone defense, as it allowed just 38 scores in 58 opponent trips inside the Eagle 20-yard line. Zach finished second on the team with 134 tackles (sixth in school history), and also had 3 1/2 sacks, five passes broken up, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Six times he had at least 10 tackles, as he ended the season with 15 against Delaware (1/7/11) in EWU’s 20-19 come-from-behind victory. He also had two sacks -- including one on the final set of downs in the game for the Blue Hens -- as EWU won the NCAA Division I title in Frisco, Texas. Earlier in the NCAA Championship Subdivision Playoffs, J.C. Sherritt forced a fumble at the goal-line that was recovered by Johnson to end a thrilling, 38-31 victory over North Dakota State (12/11/10) in the quarterfinals at Roos Field. EWU’s celebration was delayed, as suspense built for several minutes while the play was reviewed -- and eventually upheld -- by the replay official in the pressbox. That came after EWU rallied in the final seconds of regulation to tie the score with a 90-yard touchdown drive, then the Eagles scored on the first play of overtime to take their first lead since mid-way through the third quarter. Zach also had 12 tackles and pair of passes broken up in the win. He had a career-best 18 tackles (seventh-most in school history) in Eastern’s 34-21 victory over Southern Utah in which he also had a sack and a pass broken up. Zach had 12 tackles and a pair of passes broken up in a win over Sacramento State (10/23/10), and had 13 tackles and an interception in a 35-28 victory over Northern Colorado (10/16/10). His performance against the Bears helped him earn team defensive player of the week. In a 21-14 win over Northern Arizona (10/9/10), Zach had 11 tackles and a pair of tackles for loss, and he helped make a stop on a fourth-and-12 play at the EWU 38-yard line with 3:37 to play to help preserve EWU’s victory. Zach also had a big game against Montana (9/18/10) in the debut of EWU’s red Sprinturf surface at Roos Field, finishing with 11 total tackles and a forced fumble on UM’s final kickoff return of the game.
2009: He did not play in 2009 after missing Eastern’s preseason practices and first four games because of a blood clot in his leg that was diagnosed following knee surgery. He underwent surgery to repair patella tendons in both knees, then woke up on July 4, 2009, with a cramp that felt like he had a pulled muscle. The clot didn’t dissipate completely and it was announced on Sept. 30 that he would be lost for the season. He was on blood thinners and a mid-October return date was originally expected, but doctors and EWU athletic trainers determined that for precautionary reasons he should miss the entire season. Matt Johnson then wore EWU’s No. 10 jersey the remainder of the season in honor of his twin brother. Eastern also adopted Zach’s ritual of hitting the side of his helmet after big plays, a tradition the team has continued since then. Prior to the start of the season, Zach was selected by the media as a member of the 27-player preseason All-Big Sky Conference squad.
2007: Redshirted. Along with his brother Matt, he was selected as EWU’s Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year. He was defensive scout team player of the week twice.
HS: Graduated from Tumwater HS in 2007. Earned first-team 2A All-State honors at running back and honorable mention at defensive back from the Associated Press. In addition, WashingtonPreps.com selected him to its 2A All-State first team at running back and defensive back. Selected to play in the 2A/1A/2B/1B All-State Game. He was also named by the Seattle Times as a “White Chip” selection as one of the top 100 prospects in the state of Washington. He earned MVP honors as a member of The Olympian All-Area football team at running back. He was also a member of the Tacoma News Tribune All-Area squad as a defensive back. He was the MVP of the 2A Evergreen League after rushing for a school-record 1,918 yards. He also broke school records with 2,320 all-purpose yards and 28 touchdowns. On defense, he had more than 50 tackles with two interceptions, three forced fumbles and two sacks. After a season-opening loss, Tumwater won 11-straight games to advance to the semifinals of the State 2A Playoffs and finish the season 11-2. Tumwater defeated Colville 28-25 in the quarterfinals, then lost to eventual champion Lynden 20-10 in the semifinals. He scored twice, including an 82-yard reception, in the Colville game. His 1-yard run with two minutes left helped seal the victory. He finished his senior season as his team’s offensive player of the year, captain and most inspirational, sharing the latter two awards with his brother Matt. Was listed among the “Seniors to Watch” on Ron Siegel’s 2006 preseason All-State team. He earned first-team All-Pac 9 League honors as a junior and was a second-team pick as a sophomore. As a junior, he had more than 50 tackles with four forced fumbles, three sacks, more than 600 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Also played basketball and baseball at Tumwater. As a senior in baseball, he was selected to the All-Area team by The Olympian after hitting .390 with eight home runs and 26 RBI. He led his team to a district title as he and his brother Matt both had two-run home runs in an 11-10 victory over Centralia in the championship game. Both were first-team All-Evergreen Conference selections as outfielders as Tumwater finished 16-6 after advancing to the first round of the State 2A Tournament.
Personal: Born 7/22/89 in Olympia, Wash. Zach is the twin of his EWU teammate Matt Johnson. Management major.
Top Tackling Performances
18 - Southern Utah - 11/13/10
15 - Delaware - 1/7/11
15 - Northern Colorado - 11/8/08
13 - Northern Colorado - 10/16/10
13 - Northern Arizona - 11/15/08
12 - North Dakota St. - 12/11/10
12 - Sacramento State - 10/23/10
12 - Portland State - 10/4/08
11 - Northern Arizona - 10/9/10
10 - Weber State - 10/2/10
10 - Montana - 9/18/10
ASU #10 
