4-Star OLB Devodrick Johnson sticks with A&M despite pitch from Baylor

For a moment, there was some smoke around Devodrick Johnson’s possible flip from Texas A&M to Baylor, but on the eve of National Signing Day, the four-star linebacker reaffirmed his commitment to the Aggies.

“It was a very hard decision when it comes down to it,” he said. “But the relationship I built with Coach (John) Chavis, Coach (Aaron) Moorehead and Coach (Kevin) Sumlin, for me, that was what made the decision for me. It was all about the bond that I built with the players and the other commits.”

Johnson fanned the flames with a visit to Baylor this past weekend, and said that his prior relationship to newly hired assistant Joey McGuire played a big role in his consideration of the Bears.

“I’ve always been a fan of Coach McGuire,” he said. “So as soon as he got to the staff, it just kind of hit me that if someone’s where I’m from, I’m just always going to be taken care of so nothing bad’s going to happen … he could motivate me to be better because he knew where I came from.

“I felt like I should’ve at least given them the opportunity so no matter what I chose I would have no regrets. I didn’t want to feel like if I didn’t visit, maybe it would have been the place for me.”

Johnson committed to Texas A&M for the second time in November after decommitting from the Aggies in August. He finished 2017 as the 28th-ranked outside linebacker prospect nationally.