2014 ATH adds first offer

The city of Gary, Ind., has been known only as a haven of basketball prospects, but the emergence of class of 2014 West Side High athlete Lonnie Johnson should bring a wave of college football coaches through the area in the coming year. Johnson kicked off his recruitment this past weekend with his first scholarship offer of the process.

"I went to Bowling Green [Saturday]," Johnson said. "The head coach and Coach [Clark] Lea offered me. That was exciting and it was my first offer. Now, I've got to stay humble and wait on many more to come."

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Johnson has the ability to play wide receiver or defensive back at the college level, and he worked out at both positions for Bowling Green.

"They said they don't really know what they are going to do with me if I do commit to Bowling Green because I play both sides of the ball," Johnson said. "I played both sides at Bowling Green and they liked it."

Johnson followed up his camp appearance at Bowling Green with one at Indiana on Sunday. He worked almost exclusively on the defensive side of the football for the Hoosiers.

"It was okay, but I think I could have done a little better," Johnson said. "I worked with Coach [Brandon] Shelby and the feedback I got with him was to open up my hips more."

Johnson did not emerge from Indiana's camp with an offer, but did appear to catch the attention of the Hoosier's coaching staff.

"The coach sat at our table for lunch and he talked with me and the players that came with me," Johnson said. "He said he looks forward to seeing you all again and to come through any time."

Johnson plans to continue his summer camp tour with a stop at Purdue on Friday followed by trips to Ball State, Notre Dame and Cincinnati.