Texas JUCO LB target Caleb Johnson set to decide on Monday

A little less than 10 dyas ago, Texas Longhorns linebacker target Caleb Johnson, a Fullerton College product, set his decision date for Dec. 13, but last week, Johnson pushed back that decision to Dec. 17 in order to take a weekend visit to see the Colorado Buffaloes.

Johnson will make his commitment public on Monday evening at 7 p.m. Central:

With the recent hire of Mel Tucker, the former Georgia defensive coordinator, Colorado has emerged as a potential landing spot for Johnson, as he named them one of his four finalists on Saturday, along with Arkansas, Texas, and Oregon.

The Ducks are also a serious contender after hosting Johnson last weekend for an official visit. Arkansas isn’t considered as much of a threat.

Texas has long been the leader — ever since the 6’1, 215-pounder decommitted from Iowa State in early October and then took his official visit to Austin.

“[I’d] fit very well,” Johnson previously told Burnt Orange Nation when asked how he would fit Orlando’s defense. “I think Rover is the perfect position for me... I’m planning on starting wherever I go.”

Head coach Tom Herman and defensive coordinator Todd Orlando also visited Johnson at his school early last week, prompting some optimism that Johnson was the prospect who gave the staff a silent commitment in the immediate aftermath of that visit.

However, the decision by Johnson to take another visit and push back his decision raises some questions about whether that was actually the case and whether the Longhorns are still the leader.

The good news is that the Horns hold all eight 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions, with three coming in since Sunday.

Texas currently has three linebacker pledges in the 2019 class, including the nation’s No. 4 inside linebacker in California product De’Grabriel Floyd. In the months since Orlando extended an offer to Johnson in mid-August, he’s only further emerged as the key remaining target.