Offers rolling in for Johnson
Pompano Beach (Fla.) Ely defensive back Patrick Johnson is one of South Florida's best overall prospects for the Class of 2008. The Rivals.com 100 to Watch selection is loaded with early scholarship offers from many of the heavy-hitters that recruit his region.
"Everything is going pretty cool right now," Johnson said. "I got a couple of offers right now. I have offers from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Miami (Fla.), Florida State, Ole Miss, Ohio State and Tennessee. That's about it right now."
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Currently, there are a trio of programs that stand out to the 6-foot, 180-pounder.
"I am really liking Georgia right now," Johnson said. "I like Georgia, Florida and Miami (Fla.) right now."
Johnson traveled to Gainesville for the Gators' Junior Day on the weekend of Feb. 2 and plans to head to Athens, Ga., and Knoxville, Tenn., to check out the Dawgs and Vols in the near future.
"(The visit to UF) went pretty good," he said. "They showed me around the school. I was liking everything. That's one of the schools I am looking at pretty good."
Johnson also will head to Columbus, Ohio, for a Junior Day event at Ohio State.
The academic side of a program will be important for Johnson.
"I'm looking at academics," he said. "I know I have the athletic ability to perform at the college level, but I am looking for a school that gives me the the ability to perform academic-wise."
As of now, Johnson isn't going to commit next Signing Day.
"I'm not going to commit late," he said. "It will probably be in the middle or the early."
There even is a chance that when Signing Day 2008 rolls around, Johnson will be enrolled at the college of his choice.
"I'm almost done right now with my credits, so if my parents say it is ok, I may go ahead and enroll early," he said.
There are several things that Johnson believes allows him to be successful on the field.
"The way I carry myself on the field (is a factor)," he said. "Every time I go out and play football, I tell myself to be the best. I also try to be a great leader by my play. When it comes down to the moment in the heat of the battle, I am sure to take over the game.
Johnson's leadership carries over into all aspects of his association with a football program.
"When we run sprints (in practice), I try to be first," Johnson said. "I want to get my guys with the right mentality. I want us to listen to the coach, listen to all the captains and be respectful."
Johnson, who had seven interceptions last year, was a Rivals.com Junior All-American. He also was a first team All-State selection by the Florida Sportswriters Association as a junior. He also is rated as the No. 2 overall junior in the state of Florida by FlaVarsity.com.