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Making the Case: LJ Johnson

LJ Johnson
LJ Johnson (Rivals.com)

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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CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State

CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State

COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series

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THE SITUATION

A final four has been set for LJ Johnson with LSU, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M making the cut for the four-star running back.

At different times throughout his recruitment, Johnson has favored all of these programs and he has special connections with many of the schools.

But recently the whispers have been that Texas and Texas A&M have created an in-state recruiting battle for the Cypress (Texas) Cypress Fairbanks standout although the Tigers and the Sooners definitely cannot be counted out.

Making his recruitment even more interesting is that many of the schools on Johnson’s list are also high for the No. 1 running back in the 2021 class, Garland (Texas) Lakeview Centennial’s Camar Wheaton, so a certain type of balancing act is being done by coaches recruiting both players.

This could very well be a battle to the end between the Aggies and the Longhorns but rarely does Oklahoma or LSU lose in recruiting.

LSU

"Johnson is one of the nation's premier running backs, so it's easy to see why he and LSU have mutual interest, but it goes deeper than just his talent.

"Johnson has family ties to the Tigers. His dad, Johnathan Johnson, played on the defensive line for LSU. Like his father, the Rivals100 RB was born in Louisiana. He's been on LSU's campus numerous times for camps and visits. Johnson also has a good relationship with Tigers' running backs coach Kevin Faulk.

"However, all of that hasn't seemed to matter much recently. A lot of the talk behind the scenes has been about Johnson's two in-state powers, Texas and Texas A&M, fighting it out for him. LSU will hang around until it's over, but it seems like Johnson's recruitment is shaping up to be a Texas battle." - Julie Boudwin, TigerDetails.com

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OKLAHOMA

"Oklahoma has been involved with Johnson since early on but if we're all being honest, they seem the most distant relation to Johnson's decision. Oklahoma changed position coaches in the middle of his recruitment and have long since seemed to have their focus on a few other running backs. Should he choose to wait for some time to decide, maybe something could turn for Oklahoma, but as it is it's hard to envision the Sooners as his eventual choice." - Josh McCuistion, SoonerScoop.com

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TEXAS

“It feels like at various times throughout his recruitment, different teams have been thought to have been the leader. At one point there was a lot of LSU buzz. Then A&M. Now it seems to be Texas with most of the chatter.

“Johnson has a really good relationship with Texas running backs coach Stan Drayton and while the Longhorns did sign a five-star running back in Bijan Robinson in the 2020 class, the days of having one back hog all of the touches seem to be long gone.

"Johnson knows that he could come in and be part of a talented backfield rotation at Texas, which could reduce the mileage on his body. There’s been confidence in this one around Austin going back to the summer, but Texas needs to show Johnson a good product on the field in 2020, including a productive ground game. Do that and the combination of on-field success, proximity, relationships with coaches and academics would seem to have the Longhorns as a major player in this one.” - Jason Suchomel, OrangeBloods.com

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TEXAS A&M

“One advantage A&M has here is that Johnson has a good rapport with RB coach Tommie Robinson, dating back to his time at LSU. The Aggies have already shown their ability to utilize two backs this season, with Isaiah Spiller and Ainias Smith both getting a lot of looks. If Johnson wants to play quickly and is as talented as we think, he'll get onto the field and the A&M will find ways to utilize him.” - Mark Passwaters, AggieYell.com

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THE VERDICT

“This is a close one mainly between Texas and Texas A&M and neither would surprise me at all. The Aggies have more coaching stability but I’ve always felt Johnson was an early lean to Texas and I don’t see any reason to change my FutureCast from the Longhorns.” — Mike Farrell, Rivals.com National Recruiting Director

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