Florida in a strong position for four-star Johnson after visit
After receiving two verbal commitments in two days, Florida basketball fans have been anxiously wondering when the next 2018 Gators target will make the call and commit to head coach Mike White.
While nothing appears imminent, Inside the Gators has learned that one prospect is getting closer to making a decision and Florida appears to be in very good shape.
Oak Hill wing Keyontae Johnson took an official visit to Gainesville the weekend of October 6 then tripped to Minnesota the following weekend. That visit was followed by Johnson releasing his top four via Twitter.
The Gators appear in the power position in the graphic Johnson used, or are we reading too much into that? Not necessarily according to Johnson’s father Marrecus Johnson.
“He really likes the University of Florida,” Johnson’s father told ITG. “He really likes them, he’s trying to get his head together right now to wrap this thing up. He has been a Florida Gator fan since I think he was walking, so he really likes them. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida. I’m in the military so everybody thinks because I’m here in Virginia that he’s from Virginia but he’s from Jacksonville.”
The younger Johnson, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard/small forward ranked the No. 114 player in the class of 2018, has taken four of the maximum allowed five official visits – he has not visited Georgia Tech but they still made his cut-down to four schools. Florida, on the other hand, got in the mix with Johnson when they offered him last month (9/23) and quickly secured a visit.
“I don't I don't know what took them (Florida) so long,” Johnson said. “I talked to coach and he said he was closely evaluating him, he watched him (Keyontae) play a couple a couple of times at IMG (Academy) and he actually had went down to an elite camp down at Florida last year when he was playing with the (Boo Williams) 16s. He (Mike White) wanted to keep evaluating him and after he had finally seen him he said that he (Keyontae) was one of the guys he needed for his team.”
“Coach White, I think he knows he came in kind of late in the game but he is making his presence known. Matter of fact I got to call him back I missed a phone call from him a few minutes ago. He calls me every day and he sends me photos of what is going on down at the Florida campus so he’s making his presence known heavily.”
“Jalen Hudson is going to be there in Keyontae’s position so he’d have to compete but he would get minutes in his freshman year,” said Johnson. “He’d get quality minutes playing in the SEC. He’s not really focused on the conference, he’s really mainly focused on getting quality minutes as a freshman. Not trying to come in as a starter or anything like that but someone who is going to allow him to get some quality minutes his freshman year.”
When we asked Marrecus what type of system he felt was the best fit for his son it sounded like an offense Gators fans watched last season, all the way to the Elite Eight.
“Keyontae is a slasher,” Johnson said. “What he took from his game that people don't know really, and I want him to put it back in his game, before his athleticism he was known as a three-point shooter. I guess when he got his first dunk he went away from the three ball. So really a four out one in spacing type offense would be the best fit for him because he can always get behind the defenders, slash and cut he can come off the pick get to the rack easily. Then if you want to dribble and kick he can knock down three-balls. So pretty much an NBA style four out one in style offense.”
Where do things stand with the Gators' competition for Johnson?
Georgia Tech: Johnson has been on campus twice but he has not taken an official visit. On Tuesday afternoon the Yellow Jackets picked up a verbal commitment from small forward Khalid Moore.
Virginia Tech: The Hokies received a verbal commitment from small forward Landers Nolley two weeks before Johnson trimmed his list to four schools – yet still made the cut.
Texas Tech: Presents a clearer path to playing time than the other "Tech Schools" and the Red Raiders are selling him on being able to come in, play multiple positions and make an impact right away as they try to rebuild their program.
How close is Keyontae to announcing his college choice?
“He’s started to think about it,” his father said. “He's going to be cutting that list down to two by the end of the week.”
Who does dad think the final two will be?
“My wife and my daughters, all of us, are trying to get something out of him,” Johnson said. “But I know for sure, I know for sure Florida is probably going to end up being in the final two. That’s coming from me.”
Nothing is ever a sure thing in recruiting, but we’ll be mildly surprised if Johnson doesn’t become the third member of the Gators 2018 recruiting class.
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