Tyler Johnson was a standout quarterback, defensive back and basketball guard at Minneapolis North.
Now, he's a magician.
How else to explain the impact he's still having on that high school, three months after graduating?
Johnson has made a seamless transition to receiver for the Gophers, moving into a starting role as a true freshman, with an expanding highlight reel.
Meanwhile, the Minneapolis North program continues to blossom in Johnson's wake. North football coach Charles Adams said he has about 60 players combined on the varsity and junior varsity rosters this year, up from about 40 last season.
"Tyler Johnson gives the whole side of North Minneapolis hope," Adams said. "Those kids saw what he did, and now they want to be a part of it. The whole basketball team came out for football this year. I've seen the numbers drastically increase."
A few years ago, the Minneapolis School Board was contemplating closing North's doors, as the school's enrollment dropped below 100. Instead of transferring to a suburban sports powerhouse, as many top inner-city athletes do, Johnson stayed home and made his own mark at the 128-year old school.
He was the varsity quarterback for four years. Last fall, he helped the Polars become the first public Minneapolis football team to play for a state championship since Washburn in 1977. North lost the Class 1A title game to Minneota at TCF Bank Stadium, but four months later, Johnson was celebrating a state basketball championship at Target Center.