Texas keeps 2022 LB Trevell Johnson in-state
THE SITUATION
Texas' momentum on the recruiting trail has continued in this 2022 haul.
The latest commitment comes from three-star Arlington (Texas) Martin linebacker Trevell Johnson, who pledged to the Longhorns over the likes of LSU, Baylor and Texas Tech, among others.
Johnson is tabbed as the No. 17-ranked inside linebacker in the country and No. 67 overall in the Lone Star State.
Last year, Texas inked Johnson's battery mate at Martin High School -- linebacker Morice Blackwell. Texas also has offers out to Johnson's defensive teammates Ernest Cooper (2022) and Javien Toviano (2023).
Johnson is the fourth addition to the Longhorns' 2022 recruiting haul, which entered the weekend ranked as the No. 13 class in the country on Rivals.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
"I had a few talks with the parents and (Martin) Coach (Bob) Wager and we all thought now would be a great time. It also takes some of the rocks out bag and gives me more time to work on school and football."
"I had a great relationship with the previous staff at Texas and was almost ready to commit, so when they all got let go I had to reevaluate my plans. But when Coach Sark came in, he wasted no time reaching out and building these relationships and it shows you what type coach he is and what type of coaches are on his staff. That’s the program I want to be apart of."
"Every time I was on the phone with any of the coaches, the conversations were always genuine and you can tell they cared about what they're doing there and what they’re trying to do there."
"I’m excited to go play at the next level and go make a name for myself. They told me when I get there, I’m such a versatile player and I could play anywhere on the field."
RIVALS REACTION
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Johnson has been a tackling machine for Arlington Martin each of the past two seasons, racking up nearly 100 stops as a sophomore and finding a groove this last fall, eclipsing 100 tackles and adding four sacks, three pass breakups and three forced fumbles.
Over the past two years, Johnson has amassed 26 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Johnson is an off-the-ball linebacker that has the toughness to absorb and shed blockers in timely fashion and darts to the ball-carrier. He's instinctive and a magnet to the football in the run game.
He's an old-school defensive player that thrives on special teams as a gunner and packs speed to get downfield with a willingness and propensity for delivering big hits. Of course, that's resulted in four forced fumbles the past two years and an array of special teams plays, including blocked punts and PATs.
Johnson is a sure tackler. He's willing to battle in the trenches and hits with a presence. He flashes as a linebacker capable of rushing the quarterback and has racked up five tackles and double-digit TFLs. He's been able to generate pressure off the edge and up the gut of the defense, and could be in line for a bigger role as a traditional inside linebacker as a senior at Martin.