LAKE BALBOA — A mural sits atop the Birmingham High School gym overlooking the field where freshman quarterback Exavier Johnson Jr. practices.
Johnson Jr. has seen the mural dozens of times. It depicts his father, Exavier Johnson Sr. The elder Johnson is considered one of the all-time greats at Birmingham, having played for legendary coach Ed Croson.
Painted in dark blue, throwing with his right arm, Johnson, listed at 6-foot-4 during his playing days, threw for 5,959 career yards and 65 touchdowns during his high school career and included a 13-1 record in 2007, when he led Birmingham to the CIF LA City Section Division I title after two seasons at Taft. He later played college football at Utah State and Gardner-Webb.
“It’s just good to be here,” Johnson said when asked about walking through the same classrooms and playing on the same field as his father. “He just tells me to stay focused and to keep going.”
Johnson Jr. is learning football at his own pace and level. Some obvious differences? Sr. throws with his right arm, while Johnson, nicknamed “Little Ex,” is left-handed.
Learning is happening at an accelerated pace. Johnson is 6-foot-1 and already receiving varsity reps. At the age of 14, he contributed to Birmingham’s first varsity win against Burbank in Week 4. His arm strength will come. What’s evident and promising is Johnson’s spin rate and accuracy.
He has completed 68.5% of his passes on 25 attempts while also receiving junior varsity reps.
Birmingham coach Jim Rose knows the potential, pressure, and expectations Johnson carries. But he’s also reigning in any preconceived expectations.
“He’s going to be a good one, but just by looking at his posture, you can tell he’s a baby,” Rose said. “He doesn’t have a whisker on his chin yet. But he’s getting better every week. He’s growing into his role, and he’s going to be a great quarterback in the future. He’s got a good pocket presence feel, and he doesn’t look to escape too fast. He keeps his eyes downfield, and I’d say that’s his best attribute.”
Rose finding the appropriate competitive environment is as vital as keeping the promising star healthy and untouched.
“We didn’t start him off early because it’s like the 2026 No. 1 draft pick in the NFL (Fernando Mendoza),” Rose said. “He’s going to be better off for that in the long run. I know high school is a lot different, but it’s not like here are the keys to the Corvette. Go ahead and drive. It helps him to be more comfortable that not everything is on his shoulders.”
The runway is wide open for Johnson to go as far as he wishes. He’s confident but not cocky. Quiet but not timid.
His goal is simple: surpass what his father achieved in high school and perhaps one day play in the NFL. Before any of that, he knows the first step is making it to Friday and commanding each repetition in games and in practice.
While quietly accomplishing small but notable goals, Johnson knows to stay within himself.
“The coaching staff isn’t putting any pressure on me,” Johnson said. “They tell me to just be the best version of myself.”