Alabama Secures Verbal from Dodge City JUCO 2017 LB Gary Johnson Pulling him back to Home State

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

After Alabama wrapped another consensus No. 1 recruiting class with the 2016 haul, the Crimson Tide reached into the fertile junior college ranks on Sunday landing highly productive 2017 linebacker Gary Johnson.

Johnson was a force to be reckoned with during the 2015 season with Dodge City coming up with 133 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for a loss, four interceptions – including a pick-six, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries playing on the inside for Dodge City. The Alabama native had offers starting to roll in from Memphis and Arkansas State in early February but by mid-February Power Five Conference schools started to take notice. Baylor, Iowa State, Ole Miss, Georgia, and Louisville among others.

The Tide bring Johnson back to the state of Alabama. As part of the 2015 recruiting class, the 6’1”, 225 pound, athlete was a two-sport star for Douglas High School (Douglas) before signing with Dodge City. Alabama offered Johnson on Feb. 19 allowing him the opportunity to play for his “dream school.”

Alabama now has seven verbal commits to their 2017 recruiting class.

Alabama Crimson Tide 2017 Verbal Commit List

RB Najee Harris, 6’1.5”, 210 lbs, Antioch Senior, Antioch, CA

RB Brian Robinson, 6’1”, 215 lbs, Hillcrest HS, Tuscaloosa, AL

OL Alex Leatherwood, 6’5”, 298 lbs, Washington HS, Pensacola, FL

DE Aaron Sterling, 6’1”, 270 lbs, Stephenson HS, Stone Mountain, GA

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

SS Xavier McKinney, 6’1”, 185 lbs, Roswell HS, Roswell, GA

ATH Chadarius Townsend, 6’0”, 180 lbs, Tanner HS, Tanner, AL

 

Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 1 Gary Johnson gets a tackle for Dodge City.