Tervaris Johnson narrowing it down

MIAMI - When colleges go looking for defensive backs south Florida is usually the first place they go. Miami (Fla.) Monsignor Pace athlete Tervaris Johnson was a virtual unknown until he attended the NIKE camp where he blew up and has now racked up over a dozen offers.

"I have gotten tons of calls so far this month," Johnson said. "It's been too many to keep up with really to be honest. I talk to Miami a whole lot. Coach Coker and coach Mario Cristobal and those guys they call me when they are allowed and I call them a lot too."

The 6-foot-2, 211-pound Johnson attended the Miami NIKE camp where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 secondsm, the shuttle in 4.19 second shuttle, did 19 reps on the bench press and posted a 31.5-inch vertical jump.

"I have a top four schools right now," Johnson said. "I have it narrowed down to two categories and two schools in each. If I decide to go out of state then I will go to Miami or Florida and if I go out of state I will go to NC State or Louisville.

I really like Miami, they like me as a defensive back and they put so many of those in the NFL. Florida has a great tradition and I really like coach Meyer and all of the guys up there. Louisville just wins a whole lot and they send a ton of guys to the NFL. NC State was the first school to offer me and I really like the coaches there."

Johnson is ranked as the No. 8 safety in the nation and the No. 20 player in the Sunshine State by Rivals.com.

"I am going to look around and take all of my visits, especially to those two out of state schools. I can see Miami anytime I want and it's pretty easy to get up to Florida, but I will need an official visit to see the other two and I really want to check them out."

Johnson earned all tri-county honors as a junior when he racked up 78 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions.

"I'm a competitor and I like the competition at these schools," Johnson said. "I'm real versatile and I can play all over the field. I can play wide receiver, tight end, linebacker, safety or whatever will help the team the most."