James Johnson already was constructing a relationship with Odell Haggins. However his go to to Florida State on Saturday was an opportunity to additionally spend time with new line of defense coach Terrance Knighton in addition to coach Mike Norvell.
“I loved it,” Johnson mentioned. “I bought to speak to teach Norvell, coach Haggins, coach Knighton. It was enjoyable speaking to all of them.”
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Johnson is a four-star prospect from North Fort Myers (Fla.) who had 60 tackles and a powerful 29 tackles for loss as a junior in 2024. Johnson wasn’t being recruited by Nebraska, so Saturday was his first time sitting down with Knighton. The primary impression was a optimistic one.
“Good, cool, large coach,” Johnson mentioned, laughing. “He understands the D-line place. He performed within the NFL. He is aware of the sport actual nicely. Spending time with him right this moment, I bought to know him even higher as an individual.”
Johnson mentioned Haggins, the Seminoles’ affiliate head coach, is “nonetheless enjoying an enormous position in my recruitment” and that he talks to the FSU teaching workers weekly. Whereas he would not have a bunch of colleges he considers leaders, Johnson mentioned he has been speaking with FSU, Miami, Florida, Texas and Georgia.
He will even attend a junior day at Florida on Jan. 25 and Georgia on Feb. 1.
“I’m feeling good,” Johnson mentioned. “Being right here is certainly going to assist me slender down my faculties. I’ll be capable to slender down my listing.”
Johnson additionally had a dialog with Norvell, who made it clear the defensive lineman was a precedence for the coaches.
“He mentioned he wasn’t going to recruit me — he was going to pursue me,” Johnson mentioned. “It was completely different than all the different coaches. That’s what I favored about him.”
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