“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg Daily Press Escanaba senior Ben Johnson (middle, in yellow) signs his letter of intent to play collegiate football for Michigan Tech University while his father Scott Johnson (left) mother Krista Johnson (second from right) and sister Emma Johnson (far right) observe on Feb. 7, 2024 at Escanaba High School.

ESCANABA — Ever since he first stepped foot onto the campus of Michigan Tech University in August 2023, Escanaba senior Ben Johnson knew he wanted to be a Husky.

Johnson made his move to MTU official on Wednesday, signing his letter of intent to play football for the Huskies.

“I committed all the way back in August, so it feels good to finally put the pen to paper,” Johnson said. “(Michigan) Tech was an awesome fit for me. Super blessed and thankful to have the opportunity.”

Johnson totaled 1,007 all-purpose yards (647 rushing, 219 receiving, 141 passing) and scored nine total touchdowns in eight games during his senior football season. Now he’ll take his talents to the next level in Houghton, where he will be used as a tailback.

Outside of football, Johnson plans on majoring in engineering at MTU. He plans on spending his first year studying general engineering, then branching off to a specific engineering field beginning his second year on campus.

Engineering is something that he dreamed of pursuing from a young age.

“I wanted to be an engineer going in, so I didn’t think there could be much of a better fit with Tech being a good engineering school,” Johnson said. “I like building, designing and creating things. When we take tests here at Esky to see what career fits you, engineer was always first on the list. I looked into it and it caught my eye a little more.”

As for why MTU was the right fit, Johnson pointed out a few different factors. The Huskies were the first Division II program to offer him a scholarship.

He also gets to stay in the U.P., and play in the GLIAC, one of Division II’s best football conferences, home to powerhouses like Ferris State and Grand Valley State University.

” I committed after being on campus one time,” Johnson said. “Everything there was just awesome.”

After he signed his letter of intent, it was seven minutes of photo opportunities with family members, teachers, coaches, community members, teammates and fiends.

Relationships he doesn’t take lightly.

“I’m so thankful for everyone that’s been with me all the way through junior high football up to here,” Johnson said. “Everyone that showed up has helped in in some way, shape or form. It’s a good feeling to have that much support from such a strong friend group and community in general.”