ADDISON, Ill – Iowa and Jamahl Johnson have built a strong relationship over time. He’s visited the school on numerous occasions, including a junior day this winter.

Johnson picked up his first scholarship offer on Thursday from South Dakota. That could have flipped the switch for more opportunities for the undersized but talented defensive tackle.

Johnson matched up favorably with some highly-regarded offensive linemen here Sunday at The Opening Chicago Regional.

"(Sunday) was really good. We had a lot of good O-linemen and a lot of good D-linemen. It was very competitive. I think I did really, really good. I think I was up there with some of the top guys today. I think I did pretty well," he said.

The 6-foot-1, 315-pound Johnson preps at Savage (MN) Prior Lake High. He said he’s in consistent contact with the Hawkeyes.

"They’re good. We’ve been here and there with contact. I went to their junior day. Contact has been good. They want me down as often as I can but they haven’t said anything new, recently," he said.

"I’m going to try to make it to at least three different college camps this year but I haven’t decided which ones I’ll attend. (The Hawkeyes) would be up there (among the possibilities)."

Being undersized, Johnson knows what he has to show at camps this summer if he hopes to add offers.

"That I can get off the ball fast. I still need to work on my footwork. But I want to show them that I can get under those pads and drive the offensive line back," he said.