/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52999503/Ryan_Johnson___247.0.jpg)
In a surprising decision on Monday night, St Paul’s Episcopal (Ala.) strong-side defensive end Ryan Johnson announced his commitment to the Stanford Cardinal over the Ole Miss Rebels and Texas Longhorns.
Sorry For The Wait.... pic.twitter.com/yk9bqVpfav
— Ryan Johnson 4⃣4⃣ (@ryanjohnson_50) January 31, 2017
A four-star prospect from Alabama, Johnson was widely projected to remain within his home state at choose the Tigers, though there was those that believed he would head to the West Coast. As we now know, though, the sales pitch David Shaw and his staff put forth during Johnson’s Jan. 14 official visit proved to be enough to lure the high-upside talent away from the SEC and Big 12.
Despite being the last to host the Alabama product with a Jan. 26 official visit, Texas was largely considered a long-shot in Johnson’s recruitment, despite a bit of buzz following his visit to Austin.
At 6’3, 253 pounds, Johnson ranks as the nation’s No. 253 prospect and No. 7 strong-side defensive end.