Making the Case: LJ Johnson
Four-star running back LJ Johnson made big news this week when he announced his top four just days after five-star running back and fellow in-state prospect Camar Wheaton released his top three.
It continues to be an interesting back-and-forth with Wheaton and Johnson, especially since two of Johnson’s top four - LSU and Oklahoma - are also in Wheaton’s top three, which also includes Alabama.
Johnson, ranked as the fourth-best running back out of Cypress (Texas) Fairbanks, has LSU, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M as his favorites and unlike Wheaton, he could be staying in-state to play his college football.
It looks like that right now, anyway, although things can change very quickly in the recruiting game.
Texas has to like its position. Texas A&M has a lot to sell. LSU and Oklahoma look well-positioned for an elite running back in this class, even if it’s not Johnson, who is probably leaning toward the Longhorns and Aggies right now.
Johnson just released his top four. Do all four still have a real shot? Analysts and publishers from the Rivals network take a closer look at where one of the most sought-after running backs in the country will land.
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LSU
The opportunity at LSU provides a lot for LJ Johnson to love. He’s the son of a former Tigers defensive lineman who was born in Franklin, La., and he is very familiar with the program — including new running backs coach Kevin Faulk and his college and professional success. LSU is also the only school in Johnson's top four to have a running back selected in the first five rounds of any of the past three drafts. The Tigers have had backs taken in the first two rounds in three of the past four drafts.
But the current in-state programs, Texas and Texas A&M, have appeared to lead the charge for the Cy-Fair standout — particularly with Camar Wheaton now focused on three out-of-state options. The Tigers still hope to add a second running back to join Corey Kiner in their 2021 class, despite trying to juggle a wealth of talent at several positions into limited remaining scholarship spots, and either Johnson or Wheaton would warrant that prioritization. But, even with plenty of positive factors, the battle still appears somewhat uphill at the moment. - Jerit Roser, TigerDetails.com
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OKLAHOMA
The argument for Oklahoma is a tough one to make at this point, because it would take some things to go really wrong and then really right. I think you'd have to see Oklahoma miss out on Camar Wheaton, who, I feel they are currently leading for, and then quickly be able to rejuvenate their connection with Johnson. He's always had interest in Oklahoma, so it's possible, but the Sooners have a lot of ground to make up in a short amount of time. - Josh McCuistion, SoonerScoop.com
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TEXAS
This one has been a back-and-forth race for what seems like forever, with different teams feeling like they had climbed into the driver's seat at various times during Johnson's recruitment. Of late, there's confidence that Texas is the team to beat, enough so that I put in my FutureCast pick a few weeks ago.
Texas running backs coach Stan Drayton has done a phenomenal job of developing a strong relationship with Johnson, and Drayton has an impressive resume of backs he's coached (including Ezekiel Elliott) that he can lean on during his recruiting efforts. Texas did sign five-star talent Bijan Robinson last year and has another running back committed in this class, but in today's day and age backs want to come in with other talented backs to save the wear and tear on their bodies. Johnson would pair well with Robinson and give Texas a formidable one-two punch for years to come. - Jason Suchomel, OrangeBloods.com
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TEXAS A&M
Johnson could end up with the Aggies for a variety of reasons, including proximity, the relationship he has with the coaching staff and the offense. The biggest reason, of course, is playing time. Right now, A&M has one established back in Isaiah Spiller and that's it. They have a converted wideout in Ainias Smith backing him up and four backs who haven't played a down in college yet. Johnson is an elite back, so he shouldn't be afraid of that kind of competition.
It seemed like LSU had the lead for Johnson for some time, then Texas surged back into the hunt. But the Aggies have always been right there, and with Jalen Milroe deciding to flip to Alabama, Texas may have had its cause wounded pretty significantly. Johnson knows A&M has him at the top of its board and the Aggies have kept in constant communication, and that steady approach may win out. - Mark Passwaters, AggieYell.com
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THE VERDICT
“At first I predicted Texas A&M, but now I think he’s going to Texas. Stan Drayton is a great recruiter and he has an excellent relationship with Johnson. I think he likes the fact that he’s a different back than Robinson and they can complement each other. The Longhorns will win this one, but it will be close between Texas and the Aggies.”