Sleeper linebacker has top four

One of the biggest sleepers in the Lone Star State isn’t a sleeper anymore. LaMarque, Texas, outside linebacker Rejaie (pronounced Re-jay) Johnson has racked up an impressive amount of calls from the college coaches and he’s working his way toward more scholarship offers.

Not bad for a kid that has only played on the defensive side of the ball this year only.

“I’ve improved a lot,” Johnson, a two-star recruit that is 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, said. “I’m still learning how to play defense, but I think I’ve really developed a good defensive mentality and have improved on reading my keys.”

All that has helped Johnson and his teammates jump out to a 3-0 record, including a 54-0 pounding of Houston Smiley last weekend. The victory sets up a huge Houston match up between the talented Houston Booker T. Washington squad.

“We’ll be ready for them,” he said “You can count on it.”

What also you can count on is the attention that Johnson has been getting from the college coaches. He’s already gotten calls this month from Notre Dame, Northwestern, Missouri, Texas A&M, Michigan State, TCU and Kansas State. He has a lone early offer from Northwestern, but that’s likely to change after talking to the coaches this past week.

“Most are telling me that offers are on the way and they’re talking about how they’re going to recruit me hard,” he said. “It’s exciting.”

Johnson is most excited about Northwestern, Missouri, Michigan State and Kansas State.

“With Northwestern you have amazing academics,” he said. “I’ve always liked Missouri for some reason, so they’re on my list. Michigan State has a very pretty campus, and I camped up there. Kansas State also has a pretty campus too, and they have a real prestigious program and win 11 games every year.”

So a tough decision looks like it’s going to be coming for the linebacker, but it’s clear that Johnson is about to go from a sleeper to a star.