Keirston Johnson, an inside linebacker from Jacksonville, FL, committed to Syracuse on July 2nd without ever visiting the SU campus. Johnson visited the campus this past week with his family, which reassured him of his decision.
Johnson was surprised by the beauty of the campus and facilities, as he told Syracuse.com’s Stephen Bailey:
“The campus was great,” Johnson said. “What I didn't expect was the architecture of all the buildings. And I didn't expect the (Carrier) Dome to be this big. I’ve seen the pictures of it, but you can't get the feel for it without being in it.”
Johnson selected Syracuse over the likes of Maryland, USF, and Memphis and is rated three stars by most of the major recruiting sites. Johnson attends Robert E. Lee high school in Jacksonville where he recorded 101 tackles and 10 sacks in his junior year. He wants to work on his coverage skills this year and improve his hips and eyes.
Johnson was recruited by linebacker’s coach Tom Kaufman and who promised Johnson would like the campus and program:
“I just had a really good relationship with coach,” Johnson said. “He told me some great things and I believed him,” Johnson added. “...Me coming up here showed me that I really do belong here and this is the school for me.”
Johnson will likely line up at weakside linebacker in SU’s Tampa-2 defense, but his versatility could also see him put at middle linebacker. He is excited for his opportunity in the Tampa-2:
“Even though it’s called a Tampa 2, they do run a lot of zone, but it’s different” Johnson said. “I know their going to give me a lot of opportunities to blitz, too.”
Johnson joins Kadeem Trotter and Tyrell Richards as the three linebackers committed in the class of 2017, which now has 14 commits.
Family pic.twitter.com/9mZb4ncdwn
— Keirston Johnson (@Keirston__J) July 22, 2016