2017 JUCO DB commits to Kentucky over Georgia
Despite taking an official visit to Georgia this past weekend, 2017 JUCO defensive back prospect Lonnie Johnson decided his heart was elsewhere.
Johnson made his commitment public on Tuesday night — pledging his services to Kentucky. He chose the Wildcats over Georgia and West Virginia.
Lonnie Johnson did a bit of a fake out and went for the Georgia hat then picked up the Kentucky hat. Says he made his decision last night. pic.twitter.com/ZrFNWLUpl8
— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) December 13, 2016
Ranked as the No. 5 junior college safety in the country by 247Sports, the 3-star will bolster a UK secondary in need of depth and talent.
Johnson is a big player — registering at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds. Rangy in coverage, Johnson has the requisite athleticism needed to impact right away in Lexington. He will come in initially as a cornerback.
Johnson sited head coach Mark Stoops’s history of coaching defensive backs as a big reason for why he chose to commit to the program:
UK commit Lonnie Johnson: "I didn't know that Coach Stoops coached all those DBs at Miami, so once I saw that, that was a big part of it."
— Ben Roberts (@BenRobertsHL) December 13, 2016
This is a big pickup for Kentucky. It gives the Wildcats 19 public commitments. Perhaps most importantly, Stoops and his staff were able to land a big-time player whilst going up against another SEC East program.
#BBN
2 in one day!!! Beating UofL and making a good bowl is helping UK out TONS! Kentucky is gonna be a tough team to beat in the coming years!
I bet soon we’re going to hear a four or five star quarterback is picking Kentucky over Louisville because he knows he will get better coaching in Lexington!
I tell ya, we’re fixed!
Welcome to Lexington! We couldn’t be happier to have you on the team!
This is the most momentum this program has had in years
Very nice pickup…….I was a little worried after we had some players back out on Kentucky earlier in the season but Stoops is finishing his class strong!
😄😄😄
Did anybody see when he was asked about UGA and he said “we’ll see the Nov. 18th”? Calling out UGA I like it!!!!!!
Its impressive that he was originally committed and offered to and by Ohio State, but had to go to Juco to get his grades up & then committed to Kentucky once he was academically eligible
I foresee this totally wrecking the Bulldogs recruiting. Just because they are ranked only 4th in the Rivals Team Rankings, having only 14 four stars, this Juco three stars is going to be the beginning of their demise.
Whata think?
I tell ya, we’re fixed at Lexington.
Oh, and one of four stars is a defensive back. Little does he know that this young man going to Kentucky is going to promise more playing time. Darn, is he lucky!
Georgia only has 11 underclassmen listed at defensive back position. Wonder if they’re relieved this young man chose to go to KENTUCKY?
I bet they are.
I tell ya, we’re fixed!
Please tell me you’re joking! Are you serious? UGA is the favorite to land Deangelo Gibbs and Tray Bishop, so while i would have loved to add a 6’3 corner to the roster not getting him will not hurt the 2017 class at all.
He does this all the time. I wish SDS would finally ban him.
Yes, but he’ll probably come back, there has probably been a Paris, Paris2, Paris3, Paris4, etc. you get where I’m going ;)
Don’t listen to him. He’s not even a UK fan. He’s a Louisville fan who’s very dedicated to internet trolling.
cd, of course I was joking. I have he utmost respect for your program. I saw you just picked up a four star running back. With what you have returning, you should be loaded.
As far as the comment from Michael, the blue koolaid drinking buddies, they actually believe, while we have the current athletic director, who wouldn’t know how to hold a coaching search if it bit him on the ass, we will never be a competitor in the SEC. So bash me if you want but at the age of 70, I believe I’ve seem decent football teams in the SEC and there hasn’t been at Lexington since the mid 70s. Why do I continue to be a Cat fan? My father played at UK in the early 30’s.
If he doesn’t want UGA, UGA doesn’t want him…..
A JUCO has 2 years left, he will get significant playing time at Kentucky. If he goes to Georgia he may not play.
Welcome to Kentucky young man!!! Kentucky fans are glad you made a wise decision.
Do you happen to catch the latest Rival’s Rankings, Tweedle? Louisville up to 16th since they picked up two more three stars today? The Cats, after all those fantastic signees. Still in the middle twenties. Tell Tweedle Dee ‘hey’ for me.