T.J. Johnson from Cape Coral, Fla., projects as a versatile offensive player for Arizona. Photo by Sarah Coward/News-Press.com
Arizona Wildcats coach Rich Rodriguez talks about the need for his team to get faster at every position, and he has added a lightning-quick playmaker to his 2013 recruiting class.
T.J. Johnson from Island Coast High School in Cape Coral, Fla., committed to the Wildcats on Wednesday morning, according to multiple reports.
Johnson, who has played on both sides of the ball, figures to be an all-purpose player on offense for Arizona — as a slot receiver/running back/returner. Anywhere he can get the ball in space. (Scroll down for video highlights.)
In track, Johnson has a best time of 10.55 seconds for 100 meters and 7.07 seconds for 60 meters.
The three-star recruit took an official visit to Arizona in early December.
“It is very different from Florida, but I loved the campus, the players, and the program Coach Rodriguez is putting together,” he told the Fort Myers News-Press, one of our Gannett partners, after the visit. “I can see myself playing at Arizona.”
At that time, the News-Press reported that West Virginia, Kentucky and Ole Miss were also recruiting Johnson. He held offers from Notre Dame, Tennessee, Miami and several others during the recruiting process, but the Florida connections of this Arizona coaching staff paid off.
Johnson rushed for 545 yards and five touchdowns (10.28 yards per carry) and caught 38 passes for 588 yards and six touchdowns, according to maxpreps.com. Those stats don’t include a postseason game.
As a junior, he rushed 47 times for 681 yards and 10 touchdowns and made eight receptions for 257 yards and four scores.
Arizona also has a commitment from a former Cape Coral player — cornerback Prince Holloway from Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College.
Here is the list of players committed to Arizona, with updated ratings (quarterback Jesse Scroggins has signed):
| Player | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | School | Hometown | 247 | Rivals | Scout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mario Alford | ATH | 5-10 | 180 | Georgia Military | Milledgeville, GA | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Calvin Allen | DE | 6-5 | 225 | La Cueva HS | Albuquerque, N.M. | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Jacob Alsadek | OT | 6-7 | 332 | Torrey Pines HS | San Diego, Calif. | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Derek Babiash | CB | 6-1 | 165 | Poway HS | Poway, Calif. | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Jack Banda | DE | 6-4 | 225 | Grayson HS | Loganville, Ga. | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Luca Bruno | DL | 6-4 | 280 | Oak Park HS | Oak Park, Calif. | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Pierre Cormier | RB | 5-10 | 180 | Madison HS | San Diego, Calif. | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Ryan Dunn | LB | 6-3 | 210 | San Ramon Valley HS | Danville, Calif. | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Paul Elvira | WR | 5-11 | 175 | Marcos De Niza HS | Tempe | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Brandon Golson | LB | 6-3 | 230 | Georgia Military | Milledgeville, Ga. | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Samajie Grant | WR | 5-10 | 170 | Colony HS | Ontario, Calif. | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Zachary Green | RB | 5-10 | 210 | St. Bonaventure HS | Ventura, Calif. | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Steven Gurrola | C | 6-2 | 280 | Glendale CC | Glendale | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Devin Holiday | DB | 5-10 | 170 | Mission Hills HS | San Marcos, Calif. | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Prince Holloway | CB | 5-9 | 160 | Hutchinson CC | Hutchinson, Kan. | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| T.J. Johnson | ATH | 5-7 | 165 | Island Coast HS | Cape Coral, Fla. | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Mauriece Lee | RB | 5-8 | 185 | Marcos De Niza HS | Tempe | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Tony Mekari | DT | 6-2 | 270 | Westlake HS | Westlake Vill., Calif. | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| DeAndre Miller | LB | 6-3 | 215 | Buckeye HS | Buckeye | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| R.J. Morgan | DB | 6-2 | 210 | Crater Academy | Central Point, Ore. | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Nate Phillips | WR | 5-9 | 165 | Basha HS | Chandler | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Jesse Scroggins | QB | 6-1 | 200 | El Camino JC | Torrance, Calif. | 3 | NR | 3 |
| Anu Solomon | QB | 6-0 | 195 | Bishop Gorman HS | Las Vegas | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Logan Stott | OG | 6-3 | 300 | Pine View HS | Saint George, Utah | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Derrick Turituri | LB | 6-2 | 225 | Crater Academy | Central Point, Ore. | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Lee Walker | WR | 6-0 | 175 | Madison HS | San Diego, Calif. | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Philip Wright | LB | 6-1 | 225 | Cardinal Newman HS | Santa Rosa, Calif. | 2 | 2 | 2 |