Alabama hasn't 'let up' trying to flip Auburn commit Kerryon Johnson
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John Talty | jtalty@al.com By John Talty | jtalty@al.com
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on May 19, 2014 at 8:45 AM, updated May 19, 2014 at 10:34 AM
MADISON - Alabama has made it clear it isn't backing off of Kerryon Johnson.
Alabama linebackers coach Kevin Steele was the only college coach in attendance Friday night at Madison Academy for the Auburn commit's spring game. Steele wasn't there to see just Johnson -- rising junior Malik Miller already holds offers from Alabama and Auburn -- but his appearance was another reminder that Alabama isn't giving up on the four-star prospect, despite his April 15th commitment to Auburn.
"They haven't let up at all," Johnson said. "They've respected the commitment, but they haven't let up at all."
Florida State, Johnson's favorite school growing up, hasn't backed off either. The 6-foot, 200-pound running back said Friday night he could take unofficial visits to both this summer, but more likely would take officials the two schools, plus Auburn, in the fall. "You never know what can happen, so I'll still take them," he said.
Even with Alabama and Florida State pushing hard for him, Johnson is firmly committed to Auburn. He is pushing hard for Southside-Gadsden offensive lineman Tyler Carr to join him at Auburn -- "He's huge, he has really good feet and really good hands," Johnson said -- and is excited about how successful head coach Gus Malzahn and Co. have been on the recruiting trail.
"They have a ton of momentum," the four-star prospect said. "Ever since the Iron Bowl win, I think that's what really shifted. Even losing the national championship, people in Alabama want to stay in this state. It used to be Alabama, now it's Auburn. They have so much momentum it's unbelievable."
Auburn has 14 players already committed and the nation's third-best recruiting class, according to 247Composite. Auburn landed one of its biggest targets last Thursday when Georgia Military College running back Jovon Robinson, who is the nation's top junior college player, verbally committed to the Tigers.
Not every recruit would receive that news well if put in Johnson's position. Another top recruit might have been annoyed or even discouraged to see a five-star prospect at his same position commit to the same school.
But Johnson was immediately excited about Robinson's decision. He tweeted," We got Jovon too???? Lawd running game so good."
"I was extremely happy," he said. "I've watched his highlight tape numerous times and I think he's an explosive guy. He's very powerful and has really good feet."
He isn't worried about how he'll fit into what could be a crowded backfield when he'd arrive in 2015. Johnson and Robinson will join a group that already includes Peyton Barber, who redshirted last season, and five-star running back Roc Thomas, who will enroll this summer. It's an extremely talented group, possibly one of the most talented in the country, and Johnson feels it'll work because each running back brings something different.
"Roc is electrifying; he can break a play open in a matter of seconds. Before you even blink, he's gone," he said. "Jovon is more of a power guy but he has some wheels on him. He's stout, but he's a ball. I think I bring the big play ability along with Roc, but also can split out and give them that kind of feel because I've done it in high school."
Watch Johnson in the video above discuss sitting out his spring game, how his rehabilitation is going and watching rising junior teammate Malik Miller.
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