RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
Dezaria Johnson or “Z” as she’s also known by, is a standout junior at Eastside High in Covington, Georgia and has made her presence known in the softball world as the #20-ranked player in the 2024 Extra Elite 100 and also as a recent North Carolina Tar Heel commit.
The talented pitcher and hitter is a two-time 1st Team 8AAAAA All-Region selection and got this year off to a hot start by batting .422 with four home runs, four triples and 36 RBIs.
“Z” has drawn strong praise from both her prep and club head coaches.
Eastside High head coach Heather Woods raves about Dezaria’s all-round game.
“She is an absolute player in all facets of the game,” the coach explains. “Dezaria has been a driving force of our offense combined with a dominant presence in the circle. It’s been great watching her progress into the player she is today and—if you looked at Dezaria from Day 1 when she came in as a freshman and then looked at her today—she is a completely different player. Dezaria has really set a great example for future players to work toward.”
D1Vision travel ball head coach Tammy Vermeulen also points to the young athlete’s growth on and off the fields recently.
“Dezaria has matured majorly over the last few years,” the club coach begins. “She’s gaining confidence and control over her spins while increasing speed big time in the last year and a half. She had her mind set on the future and she worked big time to make it happen. “Z” has earned every bit of her scholarship and commitment to UNC!”
Coach Woods also points to Dezaria’s intangibles which are as impressive as her overall athletic abilities.
“UNC is getting a great player and, more importantly, a great person,” Coach Wood continues. “Dezaria’s team attitude and charisma have made her a favorite among her teammates and coaches. She always goes above and beyond to better her skills on the field and is very coachable and always eager for feedback to improve her performance. Dezaria has a desire to be great, so that work ethic and drive will help propel her at the collegiate level.”
And she’s still a work in progress according to Coach Vermeulen.
“I remember last summer when Dezaria had a few SEC and multiple Power 5 schools out at Scenic City there to watch her,” she recalls. “That’s when her recruiting really started big time, one of which was North Carolina, who has followed her ever since. ‘Z’ was throwing 67 to 68 mph all weekend long and, to think she’s not even close to where she will finish, is pretty impressive. I’m ready to see her work even harder now getting ready for the next level.”
The Georgia high schooler has played for several club organizations, starting with Georgia Rage at 8U through 10U; Georgia Mayhem from 12U to 14U and, more recently, has played for D1Vision as well as for Lady Dukes – Lamar/Betsa.
“Dezaria has had to fight many opinions and coaches who have thought she wouldn’t make it,” adds Coach Vermeulen, “which she used as fuel to continue to grow as an athlete. I do not think there is anything that will shake or get in the way of her success. She’s already been through some hardships and I know it’s made her even stronger as a player and as a person.”
Extra Inning Softball correspondent Joy Roeder recently caught up with “Z” to learn more about her commit to the Tar Heels and what drives the dual threat softball player…
*****
Extra Inning Softball: What or who influenced you to play softball?
Dezaria Johnson: The energy of the people at the softball park has made me want to forever be around it. Growing up at the ballpark all my younger years, I always knew I wanted to play!
EIS: At what age did you realize you might be able to play at the collegiate level?
DJ: I was told in 8U and at 12U that I would be able to play at the next level. I didn’t realize until 14U that I was hitting bombs that most girls my age wouldn’t be hitting until college.
EIS: How many schools reached out to you and how many did you seriously consider?
DJ: I had multiple Power 5’s and some mid-major programs reach out to me and I considered them all but I also did my research to know if their environments were right for me!
EIS: What made the Tar Heels program stand out to you?
DJ: I knew UNC was the place for me from the very first time I stepped on campus because the energy from the staff and players was nothing short of amazing. I knew Chapel Hill would be home. Last year at the Bombers Expo in College Station, Texas, I ran across (UNC Head) Coach (Donna J.) Papa and my brother’s exact words were: “That will be ‘Z’s coach one day.” And, hey, that was God’s plan for me!
EIS: What are you most looking forward to about playing at the next level?
DJ: The competition. I love to compete and love to be challenged! Plus, there’s the energy of the fans!
EIS: What advice would you give your younger self or young ball players who have dreams of playing in college?
DJ: I would tell my younger self breath it’s OK to lose or not always be at your best and you are good enough. To the younger girls have fun relax and enjoy the process confidence is key!
EIS: Who is your favorite pro and/or collegiate player?
DJ: Wow that’s a hard question because I have multiple (laughs) but it would have to be Shay Knighten.
EIS: What is your favorite non-softball activity?
DJ: I love to shop!
EIS: Who are your role models or people you look up to and why do you look up to them?
DJ: My Mom… for always being strong and never letting up while being a single parent raising me the absolute meaning of “girl power.” And Shay Knighten… the approach she had in pressure situations at the plate was nothing short of amazing.
EIS: What do you want to study in college?
DJ: Physical Therapy or Exercise Science.
EIS: Do you have a life motto or a favorite quote?
DJ: #GodsPlan…I live by the belief that God has a plan for everyone, and I will let him show me the way.
EIS: What do you want to be remembered for when your softball career is done?
DJ: That I was a team player that everyone could depend on and know that I always stood up for my team. And to show that brown girls can perform on the biggest stage on the mound!