Johnson hearing from many teams
Keyshawn Johnson Jr., has been talking to a lot of coaches but he's not naming any frontrunners or top schools because it's still so early in his recruitment.
The 2017 four-star wide receiver from Calabasas, Calif., has been busy, though, chatting it up with coaches and getting watched during the spring evaluation period.
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"I talked to Lane Kiffin from Alabama," Johnson said. "He came through. The UCLA quarterbacks coach came (Friday) and I talked to him a little bit. I talked to the Utah coach and the Arizona coach. Nebraska is coming out and I want to say Ole Miss is coming out too but I'm not sure."
The message from Kiffin resonated with Johnson, who recently landed an offer from the Crimson Tide.
"He basically told me he wants me to come and that I would have the opportunity to start there as a freshman," Johnson said. "That meant a lot because it's Alabama. It's one of the best schools ever in terms of tradition so that meant a lot when he was talking to me."
Johnson's father of course starred at USC but that has not stopped the Bruins from coming after the 2017 prospect. In fact, their message has been to not discount them because of his father's legacy and Johnson said there's no question he likes UCLA a lot.
One big reason is because he played for a brief time with former five-star QB - and current UCLA freshman - Josh Rosen during the 7on7 circuit.
"UCLA told me just because my dad went to USC doesn't mean I should keep them out of the picture," Johnson said.
"I actually really like UCLA and what they're doing with the program. Josh Rosen is a great quarterback and I had the opportunity to play with him my freshman year for Team 19. They're definitely in the picture."
Despite multiple visits to Clemson, Ohio State, Nebraska and other schools across the country, the Calabasas prospect said it's still way premature for frontrunners.
"It's still a little too early for that," he said.