Maryland DT Tayquon Johnson breaks down his commitment to Clemson
Defensive tackle Tayquon Johnson was largely a mystery to college coaches until recently. The Williamsport, Md. star has taken a handful of visits over the last couple months while picking up a number of major offers but he felt like now was the time to announce his commitment. Johnson chose Clemson out of a top ten that featured Alabama, Penn State, Georgia, Rutgers, Kentucky, North Carolina, Texas A&M, Temple, and Virginia.
IN HIS OWN WORDS…
“I’ve sat in front of a lot coaches and talked to even more," Johnson said. "Coach Swinney was very humble and very accepting of the things that help build his program. He doesn’t go out and recruit players that he doesn’t think will be a good fit for his program. He told me he wants me there and thinks I’ll be a good addition. He’s going to help me develop as a man and will work me hard. He’s going to win but that’s not his top priority. The top priority is developing men. He’s not the coach that goes out and offers 2,000 kids. He offered players that he knows will be a good fit in his program to keep the culture going.
“I look forward to working hard to develop myself, become a better person, and be the best football player I can be," he said. "If we win football games, we win them but developing as a man and becoming a better person while getting a good education is the top priority. When I said I wanted to be a veterinarian they showed me how they would move my classes around to make my schedule work so that I can take the classes I need to while still being able to work to be the best football player I can be. That and how humble the coaching staff was, how willing they were to embrace their players, and get us to trust the process really spoke to me while I was there.
“I really like how humble their players were," said Johnson. "A lot of schools you go to, some of the players are already in that competitive mode questioning who this recruit is and not really embracing them. That’s not how it is at Clemson. Those players embrace the recruits and build that culture.”
RIVALS’ REACTION…
After spending some of his early high school years at Washington (D.C.) St. John’s College High, Johnson ended up at Williamsport High School and has really blossomed into a very good college prospect. His aggressive nature and non-stop motor give him the advantage over nearly every lineman he faced. These raw tools and his attitude make him a great fit for Clemson.
