Storm Johnson opens up recruitment after slight from LSU
Tailback Storm Johnson, who transferred from Buford to Loganville after last season, has reopened his recruitment and will visit West Virginia this weekend. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Asked about his recruiting process this week, Storm Johnson quickly rattles off the names of several schools.
“I’ve got a strong five right now,” the Loganville tailback said. “West Virginia, Florida State, Michigan State, Penn State and Ohio State.”
After a brief pause, he adds another. “Oh, and also Kentucky.”
Notably absence from that list is the team to which Johnson committed in late June — LSU.
Of the Tigers he says, “Right now they’re still on there but only as a backup.” He doesn’t sound very convincing.
How exactly LSU went from destination to backup plan is a situation that Johnson kind of glosses over. In a nutshell, after telling Johnson he was their man, the Tigers have kept recruiting tailbacks and suddenly they weren’t so sure Johnson was their man anymore.
“They wanted to see if I was going to be the tailback they needed,” Johnson said. “They had a handful of guys they were recruiting. I know they got a commitment from this dude in Ohio, I believe. They just wanted to see if I was the right fit for them. But I’m, like, stuck in the dry if they don’t pick me. So, I mean, rather than sitting here and waiting to see if [LSU] is going to pick me, I’m opening mine up. So if it’s to be, it’s to be. If not, it’s not.”
The truth is, LSU could come back and say, “We’re sorry, Storm, you’re our man after all,” and Johnson still wouldn’t sign. “Probably not,” he said. “I’d probably still keep it opened up.
Bottom line is a very good tailback in the state is back on the market. The 6-foot-1, 217-pound Johnson, who gets a four-star rating from Rivals.com, rushed for 1,240 yards and 19 touchdowns for Buford last season. He got his first action this past weekend since transferring to Loganville, rushing for 123 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns and collecting 307 all-purpose yards with punt and kickoff returns in a 20-15 loss to Clarke Central.
“I should have had like 280 yards [rushing],” Johnson said. “I had 170 yards called back by penalties. I had a touchdown called back that was like 60 yards. Holding, clipping, you name it, they called it.”
Johnson’s re-recruitment begins this weekend as he takes an official visit to West Virginia. He hasn’t decided where else he’ll take visits — though he did say FSU has “a great chance” — but indicated that those trips will be the most crucial aspect of his recruitment going forward.
“Right now I’m just going to go to every place I like and just seeing which one will fit my style,” said Johnson, who plans to graduate from high school early and enroll in January. “The way they live, where the players live, the college, the classes they have, the teachers. Do I bond with my coaches? Is it a positive coaching staff? Is it a positive team? Right now it’s probably about a little bit more than football.”
But Johnson said it’s not like he’s starting over completely.
“When you’re first being recruited, you have probably, 20, 25, 30 schools that you’re interested in,” he said. “I have five, six, maybe seven right now. So it’s not really starting over. It’s just making sure and double checking to see if I like the schools. The school itself is the No. 1 thing right now.”
And, clearly, LSU is no longer the No. 1 school.
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68 comments Add your comment
TBryant
September 1st, 2009
8:04 am
I heard LSU pulled their offer. A lot of potential, but definitely a work in progress.
Pops(formerlybigpappi)
September 1st, 2009
8:20 am
Not understanding this. Did he have a committable offer? I don’t see a school pulling a legit offer, unless there is a disiplinary issue? Not even for injury. I wonder which offers are real, that is a pretty strong 5. For Storm’s sake I hope they are. He seems like quite the player, hope he is getting sound advice?
DC
September 1st, 2009
8:31 am
Storm go where you are wanted really wanted forget about LSU there are bigger fish to fry. That just mean thats not for you.
Paddy
September 1st, 2009
8:35 am
You could really make a name for youself at KY.
RUSMOMG
September 1st, 2009
8:47 am
Found this on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oId4af38M0. Eye Opener indeed.
LSU supposedly there for Spring game. No wonder now why interest dropped way off after that. There is appearently a lot of issues with this kid that are “Glossed over” too. He showed same things at 1st Loganville game against Clarke Central. Most yards on open field. Getting open is the issue. Kick returns were great cause it is already open. If no big hole, no Storm. Highlight film never shows any weaknesses, especially a 13 ranked RB going from AA to AAAA. 6 straight up the middle plays for 20 yards? WTH?
Tech75
September 1st, 2009
8:52 am
The guy speaks as though he’s pretty bright.
Guys like that need to think: Am I honestly a potential NFL player? Am I that good? Or have people been blowing smoke up my *** for 10 years? Should I believe my own hype?
Go to a respected institution where you can get a good education, yet play 1st team football.
The odds of an NFL career are astronomically low, whereas it is predicted by many that without a narrowly focused, in-demand specialty, college grads will have a very tough time getting a decent job after graduation; so choose your institution and major well.
And UGA grads better hope that the fast-food industry continues to be a growth market…
And get rid of the attitude. It’s not attractive or helpful. Try humility, a much better fit for most people in the long run.
doctor don
September 1st, 2009
9:01 am
Seems to me there are a lot of “I” statements from this kid. Seems pretty full of himself to me. Leaves his high school so he can play more at another high school. Commits to LSU and then de-commits? His whole recruitment seems odd to me. I am always wary when a parent seems to be pushing/marketing a kid so openly. Might just be me.
Lars Taint
September 1st, 2009
9:02 am
Tech75,
Maybe you should take your own advice. Your smug comment about UGA grads doesn’t sound too humble to me.
GeoffDawg
September 1st, 2009
9:10 am
I don’t think it’s that uncommon for a HC to pull an offer if they find somebody they like better. Makes you realize how lucky you are to have a man of integrity like Mark Richt leading your program. I’m not saying that Les Miles was leaning that way though. We’re only seeing one side of the story here.
Da truth
September 1st, 2009
9:11 am
probably fit in well at FSU after juco . I aint sayin…i’m just sayin.
Ali Akbar Allah
September 1st, 2009
9:20 am
This lazy kid isn’t worth the paper an offer is written on. Please go far, far out of state so we won’t have to hear about you and your overbearing father.
Bamafan
September 1st, 2009
9:54 am
Like Nick Saban says you shop we shop!!!!
Storm Johnson's Daddy
September 1st, 2009
9:57 am
Ali,
You better shut yo mouth. We left Booford because we didn’t feel the love there. We didn’t feel the love from LSU. I, I mean, my son needs to feel love to feel impotant.
Storm Johnson's neighbor's cousin's Nanny
September 1st, 2009
10:01 am
Corch Mile lied to Storm. Storm #1 running back in whole country. Storm don’t need no corch lying to him like a wet dog like Less. Storm need love, so let give him love. Keep your head high up Storm.
Cody Getz
September 1st, 2009
10:03 am
You can always come to Air Force and be my back up
Hugh Jerraction
September 1st, 2009
10:07 am
Wow what a shocker. Storm needs more love and less Dad.
'10 GA RB Storm Johnson (Official Offer) - Page 2 - BuckeyePlanet Ohio State Forums
September 1st, 2009
10:22 am
[...] AJC: Storm Johnson opens up recruitment after slight from LSU Quote: [...]
DC
September 1st, 2009
10:34 am
Wow never heard of anyone needing less Dad. You people are funny.
The Ole Ball Coach
September 1st, 2009
10:34 am
I think storm will be a very good College back
In The Trenches
September 1st, 2009
10:47 am
I should have had like 280 yards [rushing],” Johnson said. “I had 170 yards called back by penalties. I had a touchdown called back that was like 60 yards. Holding, clipping, you name it, they called it.”
280 yards rushing ? 170 Yards in penalties? Excuses? Statement says it all. I wonder if Storm cares about the final score or just his stats. However, I really don’t want to get on this “kid” and I am sure he is a very good player. Sounds like he needs better advice?
RUSMOMG
September 1st, 2009
11:00 am
Dr Don, It’s not you.
The dad did not want another Cody Gets situation again. A competing small back he shared time at Buford that he could not control(before they told Storm to leave). Slated starter for Loganville was another small slot back working his butt off at The Factory to get ready. Only kid from Loganville there. Storm does not train there. Storm’s daddy called there after spring game (when that kid had 5 times Storms yards), to let that kids trainer know that Storm was going to Gainesville instead and that HE was going to have last years RB go back to Loganville to take his spot back. WHY that call? Pure mind games only. Last years back still lives in Dekalb and 99% chance he isn’t even legal in Loganville. Who runs the Loganville team, the coach or Wes Johnson? Attitude wise, Storm let team know after Clarke Central game he is already famous and does not need to prove anything. Hmmmm?
Murray County Indian
September 1st, 2009
11:04 am
He sounds perfect for us, come be a Dawg Storm, I think you’ll really like the “classes”
Ga Boy
September 1st, 2009
11:13 am
RUSMOMG,
What the hell were you trying to say?
RUSMOMG
September 1st, 2009
11:39 am
GA BOY,
Which part? I hear a lot of inside stuff on players through other players on multiple teams. Trying to filter it down. Don’t want to see other deserving kids screwed during process (there are more players than 1 RB), then see this kid fall flat on face somewhere and a Loganville coach lose credibility for pushing a kid that is too much hype from his daddy. No one is all the hype. NO ONE. Where is the reality on this kid. That’s the big question and I think LSU might have seen it by the looks of that Youtube video. All the best to him, but more importantly, all the best to Loganville if what Buford had to deal with went with him. They called him Cancer Johnson. WHY? Somethings up. If he was humble and just played ball and supported his team instead of the “anything good is me and anything bad is the rest of the team” attitude, I would feel different I guess. That’s what the hell I am trying to say. Reality is a valuable commodity when dealing with recruits. If he is truly gifted, he should treat it like a gift, not an entitlement.
kyle ky
September 1st, 2009
11:55 am
Scout has him as a 3 star and like the 59th RB, yet espn has him #6 RB in the country. Dont know what to think about this kid, but im sure LSU and Les knows what they are doing. He certainly needs an attitude change.
LOVE'EM OR LEAVE'EM
September 1st, 2009
12:11 pm
WE ALL KEEP HEARING THINGS ABOUT HOW HIS DAD TRIES TO RUN EVERYTHING. ONE COMMENT ABOUT STORM NOT RUNNING HARD OR TRYING TO MAKE HOLES; SHOWS ME HE LACKS TOUGHNESS-PERIOD. HE WILL BE THE NEXT CALEB KING. HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER-BUT NO RESULTS AT THE NEXT LEVEL. THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SPRING GAME DEFINITELY SHOWS WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH HE DOES NOT GET GOING. I CAN SEE WHY HE LEFT BUFORD BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY DEMAND FROM THEIR TAILBACK (FROM WHAT I REMEMBER FROM THEIR DOME GAME WITH CALHOUN). I THINK LSU IS A GOOD FIT WITH THAT YELLOW JERSEY WITH THE YELLOW STREAK DOWN THE BACK. GO TIGERS!!!
DX107
September 1st, 2009
12:40 pm
OMG! That was so funny from Cody Getz.
loganville dude
September 1st, 2009
12:49 pm
Someone neeeds to post the video from Friday vs. Central. I was really concerned how he would do since all of these “terrible” things were being said….All I can say is “Not True” This kid is exciting. Would have had 250+ yards if it wasn’t for all of the penalties. He did score the winning touchdown that was called back from 60 yds… DANG!!! Almost ran 2 kickoffs and a punt back. HIT THE HOLE HARD AND FAST…RAN OVER FOLKS, DRAGGED people down the field on multiple plays. I was impressed. Glad he’s on OUR team. I don’t think you can be a dummy when you are scheduled to graduated early. Spoke to him after the game and it was yes sir…no sir. Storm don’t let these people pull you down. Good Luck for the rest of the season.
Les Miles
September 1st, 2009
12:53 pm
Get the story straight, we pulled the offer for this kid. The only way you’re playing in the SEC is for one of the garbage teams like Kentucky, Miss St, or South Carolina.
C'mon
September 1st, 2009
12:55 pm
RUSMONG – Storm did train at the Factory before the other kid was even there. He was training with Gatlin. Make sure your story is correct before you start spreading lies. To me with your posts it’s sounds like you are a CANCER to this situation.
Referee
September 1st, 2009
12:57 pm
Maybe he would’ve run for 1,000 yards last Friday if the other team didn’t put 11 men on the field. Seriously, I have never heard of penalties as an excuse. Get real, maybe the penalties gave him the opportunity to break the run.
GT=3andOut
September 1st, 2009
1:07 pm
Have to wonder if UGA is interested in this kid? If not, that speaks volumes
oh sorry… I should say….. that says a lot for all the Tech fans in here….
loganville dude
September 1st, 2009
1:09 pm
Still ran for 123 Referee – no excuses were made
FAN
September 1st, 2009
1:12 pm
Spring game film? Ask his coach. He ran Storm behind JV line on purpose. Did not want a big showing from him. Clark-Central game? You have got to be kidding. This kid was awesome, but you haters just won’t give him any credit. He left Buford hi and dry, so he will continue to be dogged in Georgia, no wonder he wants to leave the state. What is the problem? no grade issues. no character issues. so the kid and his parents wanted him to play in a program where he would get the ball more than 8 times a game. some of you wish you had parents that cared that much to make sacrifices. and yes, I ‘ve been a Storm fan for years. this kid has special skills. AA ball to AAAA ball. he has made his point, he can carry a football. good, bad or indifferent, Storm is the man.
Stats
September 1st, 2009
1:36 pm
Looks like he did better than his SEC peers in the first outing.
Johnson – 25 for 123 – 4.92 ypc
Brown – 21 for 66 – 3.14 ypc
Malcome – 17 for 75 – 4.41 ypc
the show!!
September 1st, 2009
2:50 pm
My understanding is that last years running back ( #40) moved back to Loganville where he was happy! it has been checked, re-checked and checked again to make sure that it was a legal move both for the living arrangements and the GSHA!!! So Rusmomg doesn’t know what he is talking about and it sounds like he might have a kid there that is now Warming the BENCH!!!! Sorry for the kid..
But Storm is a good running back and the back from last year that came back to loganville, together they can work hard, learn a lot and probably one of the best 1,2 punches in the state of GA in the half back position… They also have a great kid in front at the full back position opening up some big wholes with a big Loganville line..
the Problem is the plays have to work for the team at the right time and this team is a winner!!
Sorry Rusmomg!! Your jealousy is showing up in the Papers.. LOL!!
Go Loganville!
Storm and the Backup and the entire team working together to win a championship!! work together and play together as a team guys!!!
RUSMOMG
September 1st, 2009
2:55 pm
Cmon. Never said he did not train there. I said he DOES NOT train there. He DID train with Justin. Not the same trainer the other kid HAS. obviously we are talking about that little slot back Christian(sp?). That phone call to Christians trainer had no purpose than mind games. adress that issue and not wether he was actually there. obviously we are both familiar with the situation locally. Loganville lost with Storm and Buford is still winning without him. How did the Buford RB fair stat wise. I will find out. Storm said he was there to help get Loganville to the dome. Buford warned Loganville he would tear the team apart. WHY? There was other schools that then knew that Christian kid was getting screwed by Storm coming in. his daddy said too bad, suck it up and no school shopping.Maybe he should have loved his kid as much as storms and let him shopp around.
No lies. Just want Storm to step it up as a team player. He is part of a team. Even for one semester (I know he went in in the spring to get legal, don’t call me out). It is not the “Loganvile Storm and ten guys on a field”. I wish Storm the best. I also wish Loganville the best. So should Storm while he is visiting there. Maybe there would be alot less negative crap out there on him. Including mine.I’m about negatived out.Personally, I want to know what Ian is up to. RUSMOMG out!
Storminator
September 1st, 2009
3:44 pm
His offer from LSU was rescinded over a month ago and I can’t beleive you are now just finding out. I guess Storm didn’t call you to tell you that news. It’s no doubt there is confusion in your reporting. Storm will say whatever it is that makes Storm look best whether it’s true or not. Look at his quote about his yardage last week. “I should have XXX yards, but they all got called back”…yada yada yada. The truth is Storm and his dad are all about Storm and you have to take what you are told with a grain of salt. I’ll be curious to see where he actually ends up. I’m sure the colleges are all fighting over him…just ask his dad.
Terminator
September 1st, 2009
4:34 pm
Ok so Storm took whose spot? Christian wasn’t going to beat out Mykell unless the coach wanted to highlight a specific c—- of player like Buford did.
Chip Towers
September 1st, 2009
4:34 pm
Storminator: I’m not just now finding out about this; I’m just now getting around to talking to the kid. I’ve been reading Internet chatter about it for a couple of weeks but I don’t just regurgitate rumor and innuendo. . . . Quick question: Who else are Storm and his dad supposed to be “all about?”
RUSMOMG
September 1st, 2009
4:50 pm
Dang Show. Yeah I know who the kid is. Sorry, dogs hunting in another cluster. Saw this coming a mile away at combine in February. Is his dad pissed? probably. Asked. He just shrugged and said Oh well, next year right?! I just felt for his son. Met the boy. My son and his friends like him. Sucks for him thats all. Who wouldn’t feel for him a little. You? Who wishes that on a kid. Throw a nationally ranked player on a kid about to become the starting RB. Was some talk about him shopping to other school and dad said no. He is stuck there now. You are right though. Kid is now on bench. My son said he did not get any RB time on Friday. Just Storm amd #40. Never saw anything about #40 in the paper either. WHY? Is what it is. That’s over if Storm lives up to the hype. This is about Storm and team and Buford, not some junior who is back to JV status. That damage is done. That’s life. If Loganville CAN make Storm the positive team player that Buford could not, then he would even get the support of me too. Speaking of papers, what does “your jealousy is showing up in the Papers..LOL”mean? This is like the 4th post on this kid. Lets see what he does Friday and reconvene.
Cody Getz
September 1st, 2009
4:52 pm
It’s about the team first. If he wants to be all about him, pick up golf and become the next Tiger.
RUSMOMG
September 1st, 2009
5:04 pm
Just when I thought I was out. Terminator. This was all before that kid went back. Check me if I am wrong but this Mykell(?) kid came in or back after storm. I met Christian when Storm and Mykell were not there and this Mykell was the kid that went to Dekalb. So it was not a matter beating out Storm, that was not going to happen.I saw Ctorms Daddy and Christiaan daddy talking at the Factory way before all this. They seemed pretty upbeat. Mykell was not part of picture so there was no beating him out at the time. Christian went From # 1 to # 2 THEN to #3 at the hands of other people, desopite seeing him work his butt off. Can’t say whay he looks like in direct competiotion or to relative skills. JUST commenting on the GAMES I saw played in the name of manuevering after Bufrod cleared his locker for him. I don’t know who is better, Christiaan or this Mykell. Never met him. If Mykell ran 2000yds last year and Christian was JV. Then I would sure plan on Mykell. DUH! If he was there! If he was in Dekalb, I don’t think he would be in my line up do you? There was no beating Him out so the point is moot in reference to Storm and Christian. Sheesh!
JMc12203
September 1st, 2009
5:35 pm
It appears that Storm is all about Storm, and not a team player. He blames his teammates for him not getting what was it, 280 yards. He should have been patting them on the back for helping him get the 125 yards he did get. LSU does not need him and his questionable talent, and to whomever does sign him: BEWARE, EGO TO BE SATISFIED FIRST, THEN TEAM GOALS.
Mr Carmen kjcarmen@comcast.net
September 1st, 2009
5:52 pm
How the hell do I get a # unavailable call about MY son and telling me about this story and crap. Whoever RUSMOMG, TheShow, Terminator, CMON and whomever else is out there, this story seems to be about Storm Johnson and ONLY storm Johnson. Yes, my kid goes to the Factory with BOO. So what. Storm did, but not with BOO. Was there a call, who cares. He is doing his best to keep his motivation up after going from “#1 to #2 then to #3″ (Thanks for that quick observation there RUSMOM, like it wasn’t already on his brain). I work every day to make sure he is working through it. The coach (Godfree) even thought he was going to quit after these changes happened. He didn’t. Now he is being rated against MYkell Wyatt on an AJC story about Storm? WHAT THE ****? Leave my son out of it and get a freakin life people! He has had enough sh** to deal with without adults(loosely used term here),weighing in that don’t even know him. Him and Mykell are friends and are looking forward to next year. Mykellis a great kid who LIVES in Loganville. He was here last year and he is BACK. So is his brother. Heck, Christiaan just got brothers cell phone when his broke. When Mykell came from Grayson and filled my sons spot for an after season 8th grade game due to Christiaan’s broken collarbone, we welcomed him. When Christiaan could not play entire freshman football season due to another serious health issue, he was friends with Mykell. AND for the record, it IS ChristiAAn, not ChristiAn. At least RUSfreakinMOMG started to get it correct. RUSS? Maybe after the phone call????? How do you get a # from a unavailable caller again? RUSS? I speak for my son, or he can speak, not you. Bitch about Storm or praise him, I do not care, its football. HE is Wes’s issue, not mine. Loganville’s already had 1 loss and there is other negative crap here that is being fixed. Isn’t that enough for one week? DROP IT!
friend of storm
September 1st, 2009
6:54 pm
first of all storm is a good kid….if you dont know him personally then you definately dont know what your talking about……youre just feeding into rumors…..storm has amazing talent and great parents that love and care about him. all you people are just haters. envy is a waste of time. storm keep your head up and i wish you the best in where ever you go. you believe in yourself and thats all that matters. loganville loves you. crowds dont lie…….
Salem Seminole
September 1st, 2009
7:29 pm
Can’t wait to hear the crying next week. Bring it Storm.
For the Record
September 1st, 2009
8:11 pm
Storm didn’t blame the team for their penalties he directed the blame to “they called it” Sounds like referees to me. And did you not see one of the penalties came because Clark Central was sneeking hits on Storm under the pile and his team mates were taking up for him. Sounds they Loganville has a TEAM with a very good backfield.
dooley
September 1st, 2009
8:44 pm
Sounds to me like this kid might think about stats a little too much for me. If he wants to shine, maybe he needs to go to a school that doesn’t have alot of competition at running back. Most SEC teams recruit at least three top shelf running backs every year.
hammer
September 1st, 2009
9:05 pm
I starting to like this kid Storm Johnson even more. ( What a cool running back name). Thanks to all you fans out there he will be a star on and off the field. SEC football is perfect for Storm. I hope you have that chance in college to play against LSU. Friday Night Lights in Georgia is alive and Storm Johnson you got to bring it, all your Georgia fan will be watching you.