The Texas Longhorns recently picked up a running back commitment from Halletsville’s Jonathon Brooks, but if the UT staff has its way, the 2021 class will feature two backs in the long run. Texas continues to recruit a small handful of targets, and Cy Fair’s LJ Johnson is near the top of the wish list.
A Rivals100 member, Johnson remains a top priority for the Texas coaches, and he stays in close contact with several members of the UT staff on a daily occurrence.
“I’m talking to them every day. It’s mostly coach (Tom) Herman, (Stan) Drayton, (Mike) Yurcich and (Jay) Boulware,” Johnson said. “Their message is pretty much saying I’m a key piece in their offense for the future and I fit in perfectly.”
The 5-10, 205-pound Johnson is one of the country’s most sought-after prospects. As such, he has college coaches reaching out to him every single day through a variety of platforms. With the ongoing COVID-19 crisis shutting down recruiting visits, it’s not ideal but Johnson said he has a good feel for the schools he regularly communicates with.
“It’s been pretty hard sorting it out because of all the different schools and what they have to offer, but I feel like I’m making the right choices in the schools I stay in contact the most with,” Johnson said.
Though he hasn’t released a formal list of favorites, Johnson said he has “a couple schools in contention” that he’ll release at a later date. He plans to cut his list in the next few weeks and hopes to make a final decision sometime during his senior season.
Texas and head coach Tom Herman continue to be one of the schools jockeying for position with the four-star running back, and Johnson likes what he’s heard so far.
“I talk to coach Herman weekly. I think he’s a great coach and has the right plan and idea to get Texas back on top,” Johnson said.
Johnson ranks No. 69 on the Rivals100. He currently holds close to 40 scholarship offers. As a junior, he rushed for 1,952 yards (9.5 ypc) and 37 touchdowns.
