4-Star Stud JUCO LB Gary Johnson Commits to Texas

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Texas is starting to creep into the recruiting spot expected stockpiling talent all over the place. On Friday, the Longhorns staff added former Alabama verbal commit linebacker Gary Johnson, the program’s eight four-star player out of 15 commits.

Johnson had a prolific freshman season at Dodge City tallying 133 total tackles with 13.5 tackles for a loss, and 8.5 sacks. His sophomore season was impressive with 82 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, three sacks, and five forced fumbles.

During the spring of 2016, the former Douglas High School (AL) standout saw his recruitment skyrocket committing to Alabama on March 20 after receiving an offer from the Crimson Tide on Feb. 19. By Oct. 30, the 6-1, 225 pound, playmaker had decommitted from Bama seeking other opportunities. Texas got into the mix on Jan. 4 offering Johnson. Johnson visited Austin on Jan. 13 with an announcement a week later that Texas was his school of choice.

Johnson was pushing 30 total offers by the time he committed to the Longhorns. His announcement was posted on Twitter:

The Longhorns 2017 recruiting class is now ranked No. 34 in the nation by Rivals with eight four-star talents and six three-star prospects. 247Sports sees the group slightly better at No. 26 in the country and No. 2 overall in the Big 12.

Texas Longhorns 2017 Verbal Commitment List (15)

CB Kobe Boyce, 6-0, 163, Lake Dallas HS, Lake Dallas, TX

CB Josh Thompson, 6-0, 182, Nacogdoches HS, Nacogdoches, TX

LB Marquez Bimage, 6-3, 233, Brenham HS, Brenham, TX

LB Gary Johnson, 6-1, 225, Dodge City C.C., KS

DE Max Cummins, 6-6, 255, Saints Episcopal, Fort Worth, TX

DE Taquon Graham, 6-3, 255, Temple HS, Temple, TX

OT Derek Kerstetter, 6-5, 280, Reagan HS, San Antonio, TX

TE Cade Brewer, 6-3, 223, Lake Travis HS, Austin, TX

TE Reese Leitao, 6-4, 234, Jenks HS, Jenks, OK

RB Toneil Carter, 5-10.5, 197, Langham Creek HS, Houston, TX

RB Daniel Young, 6-0, 210, Westfield HS, Houston, TX

QB Sam Ehlinger, 6-1.5, 215, Westlake HS, Austin, TX

WR Damion Miller, 6-1, 193, John Tyler HS, Tyler, TX

ATH Montrell Estell, 6-2, 180, Hooks HS, Hooks, TX

K Josh Rowland, 5-10, 185, Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C., Perkinston, MS

 

Photo credit: al.com; No. 1 Gary Johnson.