There is a bit of a mystery surrounding Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Catholic five-star Tyreke Johnson.
No, it's not just which college he will choose to attend, but rather where he will line up once he gets to the next level.
Try to follow along here.
Johnson is currently listed, and rated, as the No. 1 safety in the land by Rivals. However, he himself wants to, and believes he is best suited to, play cornerback. His high school head coach Verlon Dorminey agrees with that assessment – even though he had him lining up strictly on offense - running back and receiver - during Wednesday's practice.
Did you get all of that?
If not, here's a bit more of an explanation.
“I'm not a safety,” Johnson clearly stated. “People think that I am because of my size, but I haven't played there since 7th grade. Look at my tape, I am a cornerback, but I can play offense. I'm being recruited as an athlete.”
Dorminey, the dean of North Florida high school football coaches, agrees with Johnson as to where he should line up in the secondary.
“He's physical enough to play safety, but I think you'll see him at corner because of his length and his ability to break on the ball and his speed.”
------
* Florida holds the lead spot for 2019 four-star
* Wire: Live from five-star Tyreke Johnson's practice
* Out-of-state defensive tackle offered
* Florida checks in on top tier wide out
* Peach State star has interesting tie to Gators
* Spring Eval Period: Sunshine State Breakdown
* Linebacker Tindall has four standing out
* Recruiting Wire: A couple of new Tuesday offers
* After visit, UF secures spot in four-star's top 10
* Florida sits in second spot for five-star quarterback
------
Being around as long as he has, Dorminey isn't one to sugarcoat his feelings or give a glossed over opinion when it comes to his players.
It is evident that he thinks as highly of Johnson's character off-the-field as he does his play on it.
“He's a great leader, he works hard, he's great in the classroom,” said Dorminey. “He does everything we ask of him and more. When you watch him out here today, you'll see he is one of our top players and leaders.”
While he practiced Wednesday coaches from Florida, Tennessee and South Florida looked on. Those are just three of the more than a dozen who have been by this week.
When asked if he feels added pressure to perform when college coaches are in attendance, Johnson replied, 'No Sir. every practice we have high profile coaches at Trinity on the field coaching us. And, they're not just out here seeing me, they're here to see my teammates. We are a team, this is a team effort. We aren't out here to show-out for coaches, we're here to get better.”
When it comes to recruiting, at one time Johnson called Florida, Florida Atlantic, Georgia, LSU and UCLA his leaders.
Two weeks ago when he spoke with Inside the Gators he wouldn't name a leader, but instead stood by the above list.
Asked on Wednesday what his leader-board looked like, once again Johnson refused to play ball, he did however say that there are schools that stand out as recruiting him the hardest.
“Florida, Ohio State, FAU, LSU, UCLA and Georgia are recruiting me the hardest, but I haven't thought about a leader or when I'm going to do anything. I have to talk to my coaches about it so we can draw up a plan.”
* The only summer visit he is sure of right now is a college road trip headed up by former Florida safety Guss Scott, which will include multiple players.
* Johnson wore a Florida Gators shirt under his practice jersey.
---
Thank you for reading this Inside the Gators article. To discuss it, please visit the Alligator Alley Forum.
