Cy-Fair’s Johnson likely A&M-bound
Cy-Fair running back L.J. Johnson is the last of the state’s top recruits to remain uncommitted on his college choice.
That will change Wednesday, the first day of the February signing period, when Johnson will choose between Texas and Texas A&M, with the latter expected to receive his signature.
Johnson has been touted among the state’s best running backs after a breakout junior season in which he rushed for 1,952 yards and scored 37 touchdowns. As a senior, he rushed for 1,262 yards and 20 touchdowns on 177 carries in a coronavirus-altered 2020 season. An underrated receiving threat, he also had 14 catches for 244 yards and three touchdowns last year.
Johnson finished his CyFair career with 4,353 rushing yards on 550 carries (a 7.9 average) and 82 total touchdowns. Most of the total came in a three-year span.
He’s had what some would consider a quiet re-
cruiting process, which corresponds with his demeanor on campus.
“He goes hard every play in practice and leads by example,” Cy-Fair coach Jeff Miller said. “Really a good teammate, very humble, very quiet. You never really heard much out of him. He just went about his business and did what he was supposed to do and moved on.”
Brian Perroni, national recruiting analyst with 247Sports, says Johnson is the perfect blend of size and speed. Johnson is 5-foot-10 and 204 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds as a sophomore. His receiving ability out of the backfield makes him a perfect fit in a modern offense.
“So you have an everydown back that is going to run between the tackles but can also hit the edge,” Perroni said. “You can see why he is so coveted by schools.”
Otherwise in the Houston area, all the heavy lifting on the 2021 recruiting trail was finished by December.
North Shore quarterback Dematrius Davis (Auburn), Shadow Creek quarterback Kyron Drones (Baylor), Tompkins quarterback Jalen Milroe (Alabama) and others are already on their respective college campuses after signing and enrolling early.
Alabama’s 2021 recruiting class is being touted as the best in history. By the end of Wednesday, it is expected to be anchored by seven fivestar recruits. The Crimson Tide signed seven from Texas, including Milroe and North Shore guard Jaeden Roberts.
There were still a few gems to uncover in the Houston area between December’s early signing period and now, such as Katy running back Jalen Davis, who committed to Stephen F. Austin last week. Davis was a major player in Katy’s Class 6A Division II state championship season. Another key contributor for Katy, linebacker and safety Shepherd Bowling, committed last week as well and is going to Army.
Eyes will turn to 2022 by the end of Wednesday if they hadn’t already. One question: Will the trickle effect from COVID-19 affect the 2022 class like it did 2021 recruits?
COVID-19 shut down Texas high school athletics and inperson recruiting at the college level last March. Spring practice — a prime window for many players to get seen in person — was affected in Texas. Many prospects slipped under the radar as a result, and NCAA recruiting will remain in a dead period through April.
The transfer portal and player movement at the college level increases by the day seemingly, lessening the dependence on high school recruits.
Perhaps it’s an indication recruits will commit sooner, with an eye on signing during the December window. Klein Cain junior running back and 2,000-yard rusher Jaydon Blue committed to Texas on Tuesday.
For Johnson, the chase ends Wednesday.