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In-State Star Running Back LJ Johnson Picks Texas A&M over Texas

Lone Star State battle comes to its conclusion on National Signing Day

SI All-American

Texas has momentum and buzz since hiring Alabama assistant Steve Sarkisian to lead the program, but the state recruiting conversation still begins with Texas A&M.

The notion was reemphasized in the form of L.J. Johnson, the Cypress (Texas) Cy-Fair running back who picked the Aggies over the Longhorns on National Signing Day Wednesday. 

Johnson, who was an SI All-American candidate and in consideration as a top 10 running back in the cycle, joins a top 10 class in College Station with some potential to challenge for a top five spot before all is said and done. 

A 5-foot-10, 204-pound back, the newest Aggie rushed for 57 touchdowns as a prep upperclassman. Johnson eclipsed the 1,000 yard-mark in each of his final three high school campaigns. 

Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies pair the Texan with SI99 running back talent Amari Daniels, who has a contrasting style compared to Johnson's power game. 

SI All-American Evaluation:

Frame: Thick neck, shoulders and arms. Well-defined through shoulders, biceps and triceps. Solid torso. Sturdy thighs.

Athleticism: Ran 4.42 40-yard dash time last spring, along with a 4.26 short-shuttle time and a vertical jump of more than 34 inches. Smooth and fluid runner with good stride. Fair quickness to punch to and through alleys. Runs well behind pads with solid contact balance.

Instincts: Good 1-cut-and-go runner. Possesses very good vision in line-of-scrimmage approach, as he is capable of pressing hole and declaring late. Reads appropriate linebacker and makes correct decision to either bang or bend run. Has good peripheral vision. Can locate and climb to second hole from first level.

Polish: Works from I-formation, single-back and pistol. Run concepts currently feature him attacking downhill, traps, counters, stretches and toss/sweep action. Used in screen game and also ran a wheel route in tapes viewed. Doesn’t play to posted 40-yard time. More smooth than twitchy, somewhat just 1-gear. Limited wiggle and pick-and-slide display. Must prove he can consistently factor in passing game.

Bottom Line: A 1-cut runner, Johnson has a smooth running style with fluid movement skills. He possesses good run instincts and vision, which lead to him consistently making good decisions. While he doesn’t always show elite quickness and play speed, the Texas native is a steady and reliable runner. Johnson could fit best as an inside-zone runner at the collegiate level in an offense that also has some lead power/man-blocking concepts.

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