National Signing Day 2021: Texas A&M secures commitment from four-star RB LJ Johnson
Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M inked a touted running back prospect on National Signing Day
By
David Cobb
•
1 min read
Texas and Texas A&M have not met on the field since 2011, but the Aggies secured a nice victory over their in-state foe on the recruiting trail Wednesday when they signed four-star running back LJ Johnson from Cypress, Texas. Johnson is considered the No. 45 overall player in the 2021 class by the 247Sports Composite and No. 4 running back in the class. He had narrowed his choices down to the Aggies and Longhorns.
Johnson is Texas A&M's highest-rated running back signee since 2012, according to 247Sports, and the Aggies' second running back in the 2021 class along with fellow four-star prospect Amari Daniels from Miami, Florida. The 5-foot-10 Johnson earned offensive MVP honors in his district this season while running for 1,262 yards and 20 touchdowns against stiff Texas high school competition.
Though Johnson has already graduated high school, he won't be enrolling early. But adding a player of his caliber on National Signing Day is a big pickup for the Aggies. Johnson projects as a potential future second round NFL Draft pick, according to 247Sports recruiting analyst Gabe Brooks, who wrote the following scouting report:
Solidly built with naturally lower center of gravity to provide for prototypical running back stature. Combines impressive big-play ability with high-volume grind. Consistently shows good lateral foot quickness and can make defenders miss in the hole. At his best as a downhill hole-puncher with one-cut explosiveness. Run leverage is good and compounded by functional strength, particularly in the lower body. Verified top-end speed with a 4.42 40 that dates to sophomore year. Promising block-following instincts and vision. Displays consistently good contact balance with strength to run through arm tackles. Also flashes an effective stiff-arm. Rushing production noticeably dropped from junior to senior year, including yards per carry (9.4 to 7.1). Run-finishing urgency not as consistent as junior performance, but pass-catching reps ticked slightly upward. No doubt one of the nation's top 2021 running backs. Should become a multi-year impact starter and likely possess an early-round NFL Draft ceiling.
