Jericho Johnson, 4-Star Defensive Lineman, Announces Final Four Schools

Jericho Johnson has reeled in 20 reported scholarship offers during his recruitment and is an intriguing option for the Ducks in the trenches.

One of the West Coast's top trench talents is getting closer to making his college commitment. 

2024 four-star (0.9441 per 247Sports Composite) Fairfield (Calif.) Armijo defensive lineman Jericho Johnson announced his final four schools on Thursday and the Oregon Ducks made the cut. 

The other three schools in the running are Utah, Washington and USC. 

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As a junior in 2022, Johnson recorded 36 solo tackles, 9 sacks and 15 tackles for loss in 8 games according to MaxPreps.

The 247Sports Composite ranks him the No. 124 player nationally, the No. 18 defensive lineman and the No. 15 recruit in California.

The 6-foot-4, 300-pound lineman reportedly took one official visit to Washington this summer on June 23. He's built his offer sheet to 20 schools, landing scholarships from the likes of Georgia, Alabama and Miami in addition to Oregon. 

A decision date has not been set, but it's fair to think it could come in the fall or even before the 2023 season, as some top seniors across the country like to have their recruitments wrapped up to focus on football.

Torres' Take

As for Oregon's chances, they hosted Johnson for a visit back in the spring and have clearly stayed involved. Defensive Coordinator Tosh Lupoi has extensive ties up and down California, his native state, so the Ducks shouldn't be counted out. 

They already have two interior defensive line commits in the 2024 recruiting class in Durant (Ok.) High standout Xadavien Sims, the No. 1 player in Oklahoma, as well as Florissant (Mo.) Hazelwood Central product Tionne Gray, who flipped from in state Mizzou in April. 

Johnson very much has that body type that 'you can't find out West', which makes him a very appealing option for the Ducks, who are poised to lose a bulk of their veterans at his position following the 2023 season. Players like Brandon Dorlus, Popo Aumavae and Casey Rogers have all had big roles for the Ducks and enter their final years.

I don't believe Oregon leads this race, but it appears there's still time to make up ground and make a move. However, the Ducks are still pursuing some big-time recruits like Williams Nwaneri, the country's No. 1 defensive lineman in the 2024 class who was just in town for the Saturday Night Live Camp, as well as Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei star Aydin Breland.