Johnson: From Buford to Loganville to LSU
By DARRYL MAXIE / dmaxie@ajc.com
Loganville’s Storm Johnson, the state’s second-best running back prospect, is committing to LSU. The Times-Picayune newspaper in New Orleans ran an item under the headline “LSU signs Georgia high school running back Storm Johnson,” which isn’t entirely accurate since the football signing period is quite a ways off.
Johnson, a 6-foot-1, 217-pound rising senior, transferred from Buford to Loganville after last season. He had 1,300 yards and 21 touchdownson 165 carries for the Class AA champion Wolves last season.
He’s the second metro area player to commit to LSU, joining Northview tight end Cameron Fordham. He is the third from Georgia, including Troup’s Brandon Worle. His decision to become a Bayou Bengal — rather than an Oklahoma Sooner or a Florida Gator — is not a surprise.
Johnson had told both the rivals and scout recruiting services that he would commit on July 11, and his quote in the New Orleans paper — “I have committed to LSU” — would seem to be but a technicality.
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82 comments Add your comment
Real Dawg
July 1st, 2009
10:38 am
Congratulations and good luck. Sounds a lot like the Caleb King saga we read here a few years back (Columbia to Parkview to GAC to Texas hs? to UGA with bright future to red shirt to back up to who knows next). Hope Storm Johnson can withstand the hype and excel on the field (and in the classroom)!
Bamafan
July 1st, 2009
10:40 am
LSU is going to have a great recruiting class also. I bet that 5 teams from the SEC will be in top ten
in recruiting classes in Feb. 2010. Bama,Florida,Georgia,LSU and the Vols. The cow college is going to have a good class all so!!
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 1st, 2009
11:24 am
Wasn’t the top back at Buford some other kid (Getz). Getz had 233 yards in the state championship compared to Johnson’s 97 yards. Wow, goes from 2nd best back on your h.s. team to LSU. Somebody missed something either at Buford or LSU.
mark
July 1st, 2009
11:47 am
beware of the baggage… 3 transfers, I’m really tired of the school shopping some of these HS athletes do.
Robert
July 1st, 2009
11:50 am
Ummmmmmmm, why and how did UGA not offer this kid??? Grades or something? He seems like a pretty talented athlete.
J Smurf
July 1st, 2009
12:06 pm
UGA must be confident that Brown will be on board soon.
MiltonDawg
July 1st, 2009
12:14 pm
we’re already stacked with RB depth. With signing Malcombe yesterday, and the possibility of Brown, we need to shift focus to the Lines…specifically the D. You can never have enough lineman on both sides of the ball.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 1st, 2009
12:24 pm
Robert to answer your question, he was the second best back on his high school team. he trans because he was second string last year and pouted about it. We don’t need this guy.
braves fan in las vegas
July 1st, 2009
12:59 pm
Georgia was in the hunt. He ruled them out narrowing down to Oklahoma, Florida and LSU. LSU was always his favorite
Robert
July 1st, 2009
1:18 pm
braves fan, on Rivals it said we didnt recruit or offer him.
also, doesn’t seem like malcombe is the athlete that storm is. I just find it odd that UGA doesn’t even seem to want a 4-star instate guy. probably right about him having character issues.
Robert
July 1st, 2009
1:18 pm
Do ya’ll think we will get Mack Brown, I don’t like our chances up to this point. For some reason the kid is so high on Florida. God we could use that speed.
buckblue
July 1st, 2009
1:22 pm
Welcome to crystal city….can the kid play baseball as well?
Matt
July 1st, 2009
1:23 pm
everything I’ve seen or read about this guy seems great. He is a great athlete and a good student with good grades. I cannot wait for him to play for the Tigers. I’m not sure about the transfer situation but one thing is for sure, he’ll come to Baton Rouge early and will be ready for the 2010 season. Geaux Tigers!
Don't Tase Me Bro
July 1st, 2009
2:48 pm
Congrats to Les for getting a 4 star second string (in HS) RB. Got shown up last year by a RB who weighed all of about 150 lbs soaking wet. Him and his Dad have shown it’s all about Storm and they’re not afraid to tell everyone. Funny how the State U never offered, a red flag if there ever was one.
Ali Alah Akbar
July 1st, 2009
2:50 pm
Storm’s Dad is the worse thing to hit the SEC since the Irons brother’s Dad. Good luck corn dogs with this one.
joe
July 1st, 2009
2:50 pm
Character issues, that’s why Georgia didn’t go after him but LSU is okay with it? C’mon, you & I both know there is no comparison over the last few years in off field problems between these two teams, it’s been well documented.
Maybe he just liked it down there and their history. It’s not like signed with Louisiana-Lafayette.
Conservatism leads to paranoia
July 1st, 2009
3:11 pm
If there is one overated coach in the SEC it is Les Miles. If he has another year like last year then he will be on the bayou hot seat. I love what he did to Georgia Tech and I will be pulling for him against Florida next year but he is gonna get a another pounding in Athens this fall.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 1st, 2009
3:14 pm
Hey Joe, maybe so, but facts is facts and this guy could not beat out Getz and his dad got in a pissing match with Jess Simpson over playing time. I pretty sure Simpson knows his players a little better than Les Miles. You didn’t see UGA or Tech recruit this guy. Hey, we’re not saying he’s on drugs or had run-ins with the law, but he does have a problem (or his dad does) not being #1. I think its called being a prima donna.
joe
July 1st, 2009
3:25 pm
No problem Bank Ranger. I don’t know this young man but I trust Larry Porter & Les Miles in evaluating talent & character. They don’t come any better than Porter & Miles is a nice blend of tough guy on the field & father figure off.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 1st, 2009
3:35 pm
Can’t argue with their success.
mark
July 1st, 2009
3:38 pm
“If there is one overated coach in the SEC it is Les Miles”
pot, kettle. how many underachieving teams has Richt had?
Matt
July 1st, 2009
4:05 pm
I’m going to trust Les Miles and Larry Porter over you guys on this one. Les has run an extremely clean program since taking over at LSU. He quickly got rid of the knuckleheads after his first couple of years and the only problem since then has been Perrilloux, who we all know is no longer on the team. As I said earlier, I don’t know the story behind the transfers but I’m sure Les does know and has gotten to the bottom of it. This kid would not have been coveted by LSU if he was going to be a problem.
decatur where it is greater
July 1st, 2009
4:08 pm
You folks are funny lets not act as if there isn’t a racial factor at buford. They lost alot of black kids off that team to transfers and did all of those guys have character issues too.
Matt
July 1st, 2009
4:09 pm
and as Mark pointed out, I find it pretty funny that UGA fans are talking smack about LSU and Les Miles when Richt has fielded a few underacheiving teams himself.
National Championships:
Les Miles 1
Mark Richt 0
Reality Check...
July 1st, 2009
4:13 pm
to mark, he has had twice as many overachieving teams….now go back to the hater den there young man…LOL
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 1st, 2009
4:49 pm
Way to play the race card Decatur. I’m sure Darius Walker, Omar Hunter, P K Sam all didn’t get a fair shake because of race. The only race involved with Buford is the other teams race to the bus after a humiliating loss. Especially Decatur 127-6 the past three years.
Jon
July 1st, 2009
4:56 pm
Man. It didn’t take long for the race card to come out. Shut your mouth and stop leaning on that crutch. Everybody hates a winner.
Dale
July 1st, 2009
5:27 pm
Look at the present Georgia sports success-baseball crashed and burned –LSU National Champs–Georgia basketball dead last–LSU won the SEC and track and field–LSU 5th, Georgia—total no show ! This year Jordan Jefferson with our defense finally fixed, will keep the blue haired crowd quiet as LSU rips the no offense dawgs 33-10. LSU is on the way up—-the dawgs are in the bad dawg-dawg house !
dawgystyle
July 1st, 2009
5:37 pm
Dale you are a complete cajun homer. Anybody who wears purple and thinks they are manly is an Elton John leg humper. LSU is on the way up to nowhere. You are a queer and your team colors further prove that point. Go Dawgs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dale
July 1st, 2009
5:44 pm
Why is dawgstyle so upset ? Hit a few sensitive truisms ? Go back to your PBR and fries. Y’all are headed for the Independence Bowl-if you’re lucky !And your new QB ? If he’s still healthy when y’all play us——- Tigerbait!!!!!!!
Long Dawg
July 1st, 2009
5:53 pm
Dale you sound like a Tech fan. Always change the subject when it comes to winning and losing. I believe we put 52 big ones on your ass in your stadium last year and put a good spanking on you the last time we met in the SEC championship game.
Dale
July 1st, 2009
6:05 pm
I admit that. We got killed up in Athens and in Tiger Stadium but dawgstyle sounds too idiotic not to give him hell so I figured I’d give him something to stew over till the season starts. But even home boy Bradley says you’ll lose 5 games.So just being honest, you guys lost two great players. And McElroy(sp)ain’t Stafford ! A bad QB ( don’t ask how I know this) will kill a team quick !Good luck, but this year we’re going to be real good–Laissez bon temps du rouler !
I smell like Corn Dogs
July 1st, 2009
6:18 pm
Who gives a hoot why this kid has transfered so many times. He can flat out run. His dad will be in the stands and ain’t nobody on the sidelines will hear him. Great pickup for the Bayou Bengals.
Pretenders
July 1st, 2009
6:28 pm
woof woof,
Pretend like
Georgia, is in LSUs class………..we won last year we won in 97………..
We may be 2nd in the conference to FL, but ya’ll are what 5th?
You’re national champs in the off season and crying in your pbr in November. What was your last GOOD win? lol
CJW80
July 1st, 2009
6:29 pm
Just like Florida lost 4 games including in the bowl game to michigan after a national title , LSU did the same thing last year its called rebuilding, The peach bowl last year was a young team comming together and putting on a show for next year, Watch out for our LSU Tigers they are hungry and pissed off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kcob95
July 1st, 2009
8:54 pm
Georgia fans always act like their team is the second coming of the buck belue/to lindsey championship team. Get real! LSU bows to know one. I believe LSU was the first to win the bcs title! I believe LSU was the first to win it twice! And Georgia has won how many? You guys got punked by GT (who put the score on rings) and can’t stay within 15 of Florida. All tiger fans realize we had a really bad/young quarter back last year prior to Jefferson. I assure you Jefferson won’t throw picks for six like lee. GA talk smack when you make it back to the championship game and are in line for a title shot! Until then “Shut your mouth, and know your role!”
Its a gator world
July 1st, 2009
11:30 pm
Dang. These LSWho fans are tearing the dawg fans a new one. The reality is that you both suck.
But the truth of the matter is this. UGA has thoroughly dominated LSU this century. Owned em in fact. Just like we owned UGA. UGA really doesn’t know its place though. This program is not an elite program although they fancy themselves as such.
But LSU backed into the 2007 title out of sheer luck and I think we all know the Saban team in 2003 really wasn’t as good as the USC team. USC woulda killed Satan’s team that year. Tiger stadium. Gimme a break. A bammer fan told me that they had a 19 or 20 game unbeaten streak in tiger stadium dating back to the 60s and that LSWho couldn’t beat them till Saban did it in 2004. Lets face it. LSU is only good when Bama is down in strength. But Bama is back and they will return to their usual dominance of the west before losing to us in the seccg. But at least they will get back to whooping LSU butt as apparently has always been their usual habit.
As far as this rb goes if the home school didn’t offer him then somethings wrong. And if the guy played the transfer game to 3 different schools its because he’s some selfish, pampered kid who just school shopped till he found a coach who would pamper him. This kid is gonna wash out for sure.
Oh, and did I mention “You both suck”
H OBAMA
July 2nd, 2009
1:39 am
IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS WE HAVE HAD TOO MUCH INK ABOUT GEORGIA PLAYERS THAT HAVE DECIDED TO PLAY OUT OF STATE. ONCE THESE PLAYERS CHOOSE TO LEAVE THE STATE TO PLAY FOR ANOTHER TEAM THEN A SHORT ANNOUNCEMENT OF THEIR DECISION IS ENOUGH SAID. DO NOT DO FEATURE STORIES ON THESE PLAYERS AND GIVE PUBLICITY TO THESE SCHOOLS LET THE NEWSPAPERS OF THOSE SCHOOLS GIVE THEM THE COVERAGE. SAVE THE SPACE FOR PLAYERS STAYING IN STATE, ONCE THEY CROSS THE STATE LINE IT IS OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND. MAYBE I SHOULD TAX THE AJC FOR EVERY STORY ON THESE PLAYERS GOING OUT OF STATE. STAY IN GEORGIA DARRYL
SEC Fan
July 2nd, 2009
1:53 am
Its a Gator World:
You trash LSU and GA’s proud football programs and success over the years, but the truth is that FL didn’t win ANY championship until 1991. Recently I saw that FL has released a DVD to commemorate and celebrate 100 years of FL football, but this is laughable because the truth is that until ‘1991, the history of FL football would be best described as ignominious, for the first 83 years or so of FL football were essentially a practice in football futility. So you can celebrate the last 17-18 years of FL football, but the truth is that FL has only recently experienced success on the football field compared to other SEC schools with winning traditions over the life of their programs, like Bama, UT, GA and LSU, all of which have won national championships but won more games and SEC championships than FL has during the history of their respective programs. It helps to be able to put things in perspective.
SugarHillDawg
July 2nd, 2009
7:31 am
If this guy is the second rated RB in the state, there is a HUGE drop off between 1 and 2.
Native Dawg
July 2nd, 2009
8:10 am
Congrats to Storm Johnson, and I wish him nothing but the best.
However, I’m very curious as to why we read a Maxie blog entry about a GA highschool running back choosing LSU . . . and he has totally ignored an ATL area RB committing to UGA two days ago.
Do your job Maxie.
Matt
July 2nd, 2009
8:31 am
It’s a Gator World:
As soon as Tebow and Meyer leave next year UF will become a middle-of-the-road SEC program. Just like they were before Spurrier. UF did lay the wood to LSU last year but what about the rest of the decade? UF holds the advantage 5-4 since 2000. Yeah, that sounds like you’ve been real dominate. HAHAHAHA. As for Bama, sure they’ve gotten the better of LSU in the past, but they sure beat the hell out of UF as well and everybody else for that matter. But this decade has been owned by LSU 7-2 since 2000. You guys just hate LSU because you are jealous that their Athletic program is #1 in the SEC and is getting better. Basketball will be down next year but both Football and Baseball will compete for Championships. Deal with it, LSU will be a championship program for a while.
Matt
July 2nd, 2009
8:35 am
oh and UGA is only 3-2 against LSU with both posting blowout wins in an SEC Championship matchup.
CJW80
July 2nd, 2009
9:03 am
Florida will beat LSU and Georgia in one category, most jean shorts, tank tops and mullets in one stadium!!!
Diamond Dawg
July 2nd, 2009
9:24 am
C’MON DECATUR! A RACE ISSUE AT BUFORD???? GUESS THATS WHY THE KID CHOSE TO PLAY THERE AND GOT A D1 SCHOLARSHIP. SOUNDS LIKE HE GOT SCREWED HUH?!
Fast Eddie
July 2nd, 2009
9:40 am
Matt, your reasoning about LSU-UF is amusing. If you want to go back just two years, UGA and UF are 1-1 in head to head competition instead of 16-3 since Spurrier came to UF. Since 1937 when LSU first played UF, LSU has a 23-29-3 record against UF. Alabama is the only school among your annual opponents with a better record against LSU. How many times did LSU beat Spurrier’s teams?
And you, like many opponents, feel Meyer will leave at the end of the 2009 season. Why would he? Obviously, Tebow will be gone but there are a few other decent players on the team and Meyer is not a bad recruiter. Florida can match or better any other school’s best offer including Notre Dame. The state of Florida produces 250 to 300 Division 1-A football players each year. I think that may have some bearing on Meyer’s interest in remaining at UF.
Your envy is showing.
Confused
July 2nd, 2009
9:41 am
Offered by Florida, Florida St., Ohio St., Oklahoma and LSU. 3.0 student with a 20 on ACT. 1,300 yards and 23 TDs as a “backup.” Has always been clear that he wanted to leave the state of Georgia.
Not sure what they put in the Kool-Aid in Georgia, but if a Louisiana kid received offers from 4 of the most powerful programs in the nation and he wasn’t offered by LSU, I’m fairly certain the fans would not be happy.
LSU is establishing an a small presence in Georgia recruiting. Think we will gladly take 2-3 of your top prospects off of your “scrap” pile to supplement down years in Louisiana recruiting.
Matt
July 2nd, 2009
10:09 am
Fast Eddie:
If you knew how to read you’d clearly see that I did not mention anything past 2000 because we were only talking about this decade. LSU became a contender with Saban. I think 9 years of work is enough to go off of so there is no need to go back another decade. I concede the fact that LSU was owned by Bama for several years, so was everybody else, including UF. And we all know that Spurrier fielded some of the best teams the SEC has seen. The point is that LSU, since 2000, has risen to elite status and with the exception of head to head matchups with UF and UGA, has owned the SEC. What am I envious of? Both UF and LSU have 2 National Titles this decade. Both have SEC championships to their credit. LSU has been as good if not better than UF this decade. The only area UF truely dominates in are offseason arrests.
Meyer will leave UF as soon as Notre Dame comes calling. Sure, UF can give him a huge check and he’ll continue to rake in the recruits but his heart is in South Bend. He has publically said that ND is where he wants to be. Why be at UF, with the rest of the SEC coaches when he could be all alone at the top of the world at Notre Dame (at least in their eyes). Oh and I’m pretty sure that whatever UF offers Meyer, ND will see that and raise it. Saban should be enough of an example that money talks and some of these top coaches have no loyalty. I see Meyer being one of them. Don’t get too comfortable with him guys. He’ll be gone soon enough.
Also, I’m pretty sure LSU only beat Spurrier once but they were #1 at the time and defending National Champs so I’ll take it!!!
Matt
July 2nd, 2009
10:21 am
LSU takes 1 or 2 recruits from GA every year. Last recruiting class LSU got Kevin Minter who looks like he is going to be a very good MLB for them. A couple years before that both Perry Riley and Kelvin Sheppard came to LSU from Stephenson. And the projected starting Center T-Bob Hebert came to LSU from Norcross. But LSU also goes into Fla, Bama, TN, MS, and Texas as well as LA to get their recruits which just goes to show the reach of this elite program.
LSU Baseball National & SEC Champions
July 2nd, 2009
11:50 am
GEAUX TIGERS!!!