Four-star athlete Ju’Juan Johnson, a former Colorado commit, has flipped his commitment to LSU, he announced Monday on the Jordy Culotta Show. Here’s what you need to know:
- Johnson ranks as the No. 28 athlete in the nation and the No. 267 player in the 2024 class according to 247Sports.
- The Lafayette, La., native committed to Colorado in February as one of the most coveted players for new Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders.
- Johnson decommitted in April and took visits to LSU and Florida before deciding on Brian Kelly’s program.
- Colorado had 83 scholarship players at the start of the 2022 season. Only 20 remain on the roster as of April.
What this means for LSU
While there are higher-ranked players, Johnson is a big get for LSU. He’s considered one of the most electric players in Louisiana, which is why LSU did not relent when he committed to Colorado.
Advertisement
In The Athletic’s Louisiana Recruiting Confidential piece, one Louisiana high school coach said: “Unlike anything I’ve seen. I don’t know what he is, but his skill sets in terms of as a playmaker, he almost beats people by himself. He ran through people. He threw it all over. He’s physical.”
Johnson is a star quarterback at Lafayette Christian Academy, but the belief is he’ll be a defensive back at LSU. Now, LSU has commitments from five of the top seven players in Louisiana and just landed No. 56 overall tight end Trey’Dez Green. LSU has a chance to sign most of the top players in the state. — Miller
How much of a concern is this for Sanders?
Sanders has done great work in high school recruiting in the past, namely with Cormani McClain, a five-star cornerback from Miami. But even his draw may make it difficult to hold commitments when big-time programs from closer to home come calling.
The decision for transfers may be more of a business decision but after last year’s SEC West title, the Tigers have a bit more proof of concept and can still dominate recruiting local talent. — Ubben
Required reading
(Photo: Stephen Lew / USA Today)
ncG1vNJzZmismJqutbTLnquim16YvK57k25pa29ja3xzfJFsZmltX2aCcLbUo6yapl2fvKm60qilZpufobyzrcOoZKWrpWQ%3D