Oregon Continues to Prioritize 4-Star DL Jericho Johnson

One of Oregon's top targets will be in town this weekend and is down to four schools.

The Ducks are bringing in a ton of talent for visits this weekend and one of the biggest names is 2024 Fairfield (Calif.) Armijo defensive lineman Jericho Johnson. 

I will be in Ugene Oregon this weekend for the game📍@BrandonHuffman @RoyalsArmijo @Nicoe_H__ @Coach_MosleyAHS @coachhaynes711 @CoachLup @CoachTuioti92 @CoachDubb_Drick @CoachDanLanning pic.twitter.com/ZQGpYwKAAh

— Jericho Johnson (@JerichoKJohnson) September 22, 2023

The 6-foot-4, 320-pound defensive lineman previewed his trip with Ducks Digest, starting with what's he's hoping to get out of this unofficial visit. 

"I've been down here a couple of times now, but I know this is gonna be a big game with Colorado coming up with and Coach Prime," Johnson said. "But just looking forward to seeing both defenses go at it. I know that both teams have really good offenses, so just seeing how the defense dominates on both sides."

Dan Lanning and the Ducks are among Johnson's top four schools and it's the people within the program that have his attention.

"Definitely the coaching staff," he said of what stands out the most about Oregon. "The amount of love that they show, not just me but to my family, they're just always showing love. Always making sure we're good, always checking in, asking me how the season's going, different things like that. So, definitely the coaching staff and how they all pour into me and all show love."

The Adidas All-American selection has built a lot of relationships with the staff at Oregon, but one is the strongest out of all of them.

"I would probably say Coach Tosh (Lupoi). He's from the Bay Area, so he grew up near the same area as me and he just he just knows that I could play a really big part in their defense. I could really round up this class and just dominate. He loves the way I play and he just thinks I'm a good, great overall kid."

The Washington Huskies are another team that Johnson is heavily considering in his recruitment and it's a similar deal with the Huskies when it comes to what has his attention.

"I really like the coaching staff," he said. "I like their defensive line coach (Inoke Breckterfield), he coached one of arguably the best defensive players to ever play the game of football and that's Aaron Donald--somebody I look up to and want to take my game after. Coach Nokes,  just to be coached by him I know that I could be developed."

Following this weekend's unofficial visit to Oregon, the massive defensive lineman will turn his attention to a pair of official visits.

"I do have an OV set up some time in October with Utah. I think it's the last weekend of October. And then I should be visiting SC some time soon too, like the following week."

When might we expect a decision from Johnson?

"I'm gonna let it be known and announce December 21, but I'll have in mind what school I'm gonna go to probably November-ish."

As he starts to mull over a decision in the next month or so, he has a solid grasp of what he's looking for.

"I just really want to be developed," Johnson said. "Not just on the field, but off the field--academically, physically, spiritually. I wanna make sure that I'm getting poured into, not just in the game of football but my life as a whole. Just whatever school is gonna develop me the best to my full potential and send me off to the league."