Heritage’s Terrance Johnson is the Broward 4A-1A Defensive Player of the Year
American Heritage needed all of its football players to step up during the 2025 season if it was to repeat as a state champion.
The Patriots’ defense was one of the main reasons they won their final five games on their way to a seventh state title since 2013.
And at the heart of that defense was senior safety Terrance Johnson, who made an immediate impact on Heritage’s secondary and was a consistent presence throughout the season.
Johnson is the Miami Herald’s Broward Football Defensive Player of the Year for Classes 4A-1A after leading the county with 12 interceptions, including several in clutch moments during the Patriots’ championship run.
Johnson (6-1, 160 pounds), who transferred from South Broward before the season, also finished with 59 tackles, three passes defended, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Heritage dealt with numerous injuries throughout the season and finished 4-5 after battling through one of the toughest schedules in the country.
Johnson came up with some of his biggest plays when his team needed it most.
He had two interceptions in Heritage’s playoff rematch against Archbishop McCarthy to help the Patriots avenge an earlier loss which cost them their district’s championship. Johnson also had two interceptions in that first encounter and two against nationally-ranked Edna Karr of New Orleans, which nearly helped Heritage secure a major road victory.
Johnson also had a key interception late in the Class 4A state championship game against Orlando Jones, which helped cement a 33-28 victory.
Johnson remains unsigned, but has received offers from schools such as Middle Tennessee, Oregon State and USF.
Johnson’s impact during his senior season continued Heritage’s tradition of stellar defensive backs which includes Pat Surtain II, Earl Little Jr., Tarvarus McFadden and Marco Wilson.
