Texas has made the top four for 2021 prospect L.J. Johnson. A four-star running back out of Cy-Fair, Texas, LSU, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M join the Longhorns on Johnson’s list.
According to 247Sports composite, Johnson ranks No. 42 nationally, the No. 4 running back, and No. 7 in the state of Texas. Only Camar Wheaton ranks better as an in-state running back than Johnson.
Listed at 5-10, 204 pounds, Johnson is a do it all type of back. He ran a verified 4.42 40-yard dash at ‘The Opening’ in March of 2019. Before his junior year of high school, the four-star already possessed NFL type speed.
Johnson was named Texas AP Class 6A second-team all-state in 2019, rushing for 1,951 yards and 37 touchdowns on 206 carries. That averages out to a ridiculous 9.5 yards per carry.
An already crowded running back room, Johnson would only add to the depth the Longhorns store. Going into the 2020 season, Keaontay Ingram, Roschon Johnson, and Bijan Robinson will be the main backs. With Johnson and Robinson being underclassmen, Ingram is the only back in danger of leaving for the NFL Draft.
If all three return, the Longhorns would possess a top running back room in the Big 12. Add in Johnson as a true freshman, and Texas could have one of the best position groups in the country.
Beyond Blessed… Final 4! pic.twitter.com/Z8YyU0TiNy
— LJ Johnson Jr (@LJ_Johnson_Jr) September 2, 2020
The 2021 recruiting class already has a running back commit, with three-star Jonathan Brooks. The No. 27 running back on the 247Sports composite, Brooks has been committed to Texas since May.
Related: Texas Longhorns 2021 commit has big game in season opener
As things stand, Texas A&M will stand as the biggest threat to the Longhorns securing Johnson’s commitment. The Aggies were seen as the early favorite for the blue-chip back but Stan Drayton has been making progress on Johnson over the summer.
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