AJ Johnson and Stephon Tuitt both joined Score Atlanta’s The Official Visit earlier this week to discuss their recent commitments to Tennessee and Notre Dame respectively. AJ Johnson of Gainesville High School recommitted to Tennessee after originally committing to the Volunteers during Lane Kiffin’s tenure as head coach. When Kiffin left to take the USC job, Johnson backed out on his pledge to look around the recruiting scene again. Johnson spoke about his decision to co-hosts Fletcher Proctor and Scott Janovitz saying “I just chose Tennessee. I went back and forth with Florida but in the end it was Tennessee.” Despite building a rapport with Kiffin, Johnson said he kept an open mind about new coach Derek Dooley. “He won’t lead you wrong,” Johnson said of Dooley. “He’ll teach you in life.” Johnson also liked Coach Chuck Smith whom Johnson said “recruited (him) hard.”
Johnson didn’t hide the fact that he initially went against his word and blamed it on the coaching change. In the end though, Johnson said he “just felt Tennessee.” And the early timing wasn’t an issue with Johnson as he said he just wanted to go ahead and do it.
Interestingly enough Johnson never truly considered either of the in-state schools Georgia Tech or Georgia. The Yellow Jackets were on him “pretty hard,” but Johnson said he didn’t know what happened with Georgia. Florida seriously entered the picture but after visiting both schools and watching his first college game live, he decided on the Volunteers.
The Gainesville Red Elephants, Johnson’s high school squad, have been utilizing Johnson in a variety of ways other than just his traditional linebacker role. Johnson has been coming in on offense in “gorilla” sets and running the ball. It has been working as Gainesville has rallied after opening the season with a loss. “Winning matters. I want to win,” said Johnson of his role with his high school team. That also translates to his future as well. At Tennessee, he said the coaches told him he’ll play the SAM linebacker position and rush the quarterback, but the coaches didn’t rule out a Wildcat role. “I want to be the best,” Johnson said but he knows that it will take work. “My first year, I’ll try and come in and compete, but at the next level, you just can’t tell.”
Johnson will likely take a few more visits but Tennessee is getting a player with lots of heart and a broad skill set. Johnson has the potential to make an impact at several positions on the football field and the SEC should not take Johnson lightly.
Stephon Tuitt also spoke of his surprising decision to leave the state for Notre Dame. The Irish were in Tuitt’s final pool of schools but perhaps was a long shot until he visited South Bend. “I didn’t expect it to be as scenic as it was,” Tuitt said after he visited Notre Dame. “The students, the coaches, the scenery were great. It was a great environment and I can get a great degree there,” said Tuitt of his great time.
Many folks believed that the Monroe Area star would stay in-state and go to Georgia Tech, but Tuitt said Notre Dame had too many positives. “To me, I felt Notre Dame had everything I was looking for and they had my major (a medical program).”
New coach Brian Kelly helped sell Tuitt, but the defensive end could also not deny the networking aspect of the Irish alumni base. “You can see success in the program.” Tuitt was impressed by Kelly though, remarking that the chemistry of the coaching staff is great. “They are tough but a wonderful staff.”
At Notre Dame, Tuitt will be a versatile player though his natural position will be defensive end. Rivals and Scout.com have Tuitt as one of the top defensive ends in the state of Georgia and it is easy to see why seemingly all of the nation’s top schools were hot on his trail. Georgia, Georgia Tech, Clemson, Auburn and Miami were all hot on the trail but now they are all done, according to Tuitt. He announced his recruitment is finished and the Tigers of Auburn and Clemson and the Hurricanes are just finished. Georgia Tech though might have been the hardest cut to make. “It was hard to call the coaches (at Tech). One of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made.”
Tuitt though believes it was the right one. Chemistry, a wonderful environment and a strong program in his major all made the decision for him Tuitt said. And the football tradition didn’t hurt either. Tuitt will have a chance to add to that tradition, perhaps as early as next season. Tuitt said the coaches want him to come to campus in June to “get stronger.”
“I hope to play the first year and be starting by my sophomore year or junior year,” Tuitt said. If he can impact Notre Dame the way he has his high school team in his senior season, the Irish will be just fine. After struggling the last few seasons with winless campaigns, Monroe-Area has started this year 3-0. He credits chemistry for the team’s turnaround but Tuitt has gotten stronger and better and is leading by example, something he’ll surely bring to Notre Dame next season
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