Johnson to visit Florida this summer

Last week the Gators spent a lot of time in the state of North Carolina visiting top prospects including defensive lineman Sterling Johnson (6-5, 288, Clayton, NC Cleveland) who received a visit from cornerbacks coach Travaris Robinson.

“Coach Robinson came by my school last week to see me,” Johnson said. “It went fairly well. It was just kind of a hey and stop by kind of deal. He talked to my coaches some though. He came during class so I wasn’t able to see him much. Coach Robinson said that Coach [Brad] Lawing would be back up to see me practice this spring.”

This wasn’t the first conversation between the two as Johnson says he talks to Florida on a regular basis but he talks to a different coach.

“I talk to Florida once every two weeks or so, I usually talk to Coach Lawing,” Johnson said. “Coach Lawing is a real good coach and I’ve heard a lot of good things about him and he’s a good guy to talk to on the phone.”

When Johnson and Lawing talk over the phone the message is generally how the Gators see Johnson fitting into Florida’s defense.

“Right now they say they see me as a 6 technique defensive end but that I could eventually grow into a 3 technique defensive tackle,” Johnson said. “Coach Lawing said that it all depends on how I grow and fill out once I get into a college weight room. It doesn’t matter to me as long as I don’t have to play offensive line.”

The defense that Will Muschamp has put on the field in Gainesville is something that has caught Johnson’s attention including one player on the defense.

“Florida’s defense is always impressive and even if I don’t commit to Florida it would be fun to play with Vernon Hargreaves a future All-American,” Johnson said. “I think it would be really fun to play with him and for Coach Lawing.”

Now that Florida has caught Johnson’s attention and visited him in North Carolina the defensive tackle plans to go to Gainesville to see Florida for himself.

“I definitely plan to visit Florida but I’m just not quite sure when,” Johnson said. “It will be this summer though but just not sure of a date.”

Despite all the attention that Florida has paid to Johnson the Gators are still not the leader or even the school recruiting him the hardest.

“I would say Ohio State is recruiting me the hardest right now,” Johnson said. “Tennessee is leading for me right now but Florida is definitely in my top 7 right now until I see them. I will be committing at my Under Armour jersey presentation this fall.”

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.