Three-star Devodrick Johnson recommits to Texas A&M

Devodrick Johnson made the decision sound so simple. When he announced his commitment, he did so in matter-of-fact fashion.

“I’ll be going back,” he said simply.

Back to College Station and Texas A&M, that is.

Johnson originally committed to the Aggies in July, but had to at least consider some of the significant interest he was getting from programs that didn’t factor into that initial decision. Just as quickly, it seemed as though he was ready to re-commit to Texas A&M.

There was a little hiccup in the process, but to hear him talk about his relationship with the Aggies, it was almost as if he was never gone.

“The staff is very excited, because they feel like that’s the place for me,” he said. “When I decommitted, things never changed. Everything stayed the same. They had the same love for me as they did when they offered me and when I committed.”

The biggest proponent of Johnson’s being defensive coordinator John Chavis, who Johnson said he was grateful for continuing to further the bond between the two of them, even when he wasn’t officially on the Aggies’ commitment list.

“We talk every week on the phone, every week,” he said. “That’s what it’s all about, building that relationship with the coaches, because at the end of the day, they’re going to be like a father-figure when you’re out there. We’re going to be in their hands. They’re going be developing us as players and young men. So, at the end of the day, those are the things that I think about.”

The headlines of Johnson’s time on the open market were essentially limited to picking up another offer from Central Florida and taking his only official thus far to Illinois. Not exactly greener pastures, but regardless of the comparison between those two to Texas A&M, there was another fundamental element keeping Johnson’s focus close to home.

“I went to Illinois to see what they have to offer. They bring a lot to the table,” he said. “I don’t know, though, I just don’t see myself leaving Texas. I tried considering it, but I just can’t see it. That’s another reason why Texas A&M is the place for me to be.”

Case-in-point was Johnson’s last visit to Aggieland, where he was on-hand for the team's exciting win over Tennessee. Being in attendance for the 45-38 win gave him a taste of what a big win in a big environment felt like.

“It’s the home-field atmosphere,” he said. “Being around the coaches, the facilities, the fans, it’s just a family atmosphere up there and it’s great. Every time I’ve been to Kyle Field I always leave with a big smile on my face and every time I talk to coach (Kevin) Sumlin, coach Chavis, they tell me they want me to have that smile and when can I be back at Kyle Field.”

Johnson slides back into being essentially the Aggies’ second linebacker commit in this class. Four-star pledge Santino Marchiol provides a more traditional, albeit dynamic, outside linebacker but Johnson’s upside and versatility have always made him a compelling defensive prospect in his own right.

Perhaps just as important to Johnson is matching himself back up with a group of other commitments that he’s created a bond with since his first incarnation as a future Aggie.

“Cam Buckley, Roshauud (Paul), Myles (Jones), Connor (Blumrick) all those guys, the class that we have coming in is truly special,” he said. “It’s great to be around these guys, every time I am we’re just having fun but we’re ready to just get out there and rock and roll.

“Those of the type of teammates you want to play with - we’ve already built a relationship and bonded as a family and that’s a good thing.”