:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68834192/1291674522.0.jpg)
On Tuesday, Anthony Johnson narrowed down his recruitment to a list of four — Alabama, Auburn, Oregon, and Rutgers.
Just one day later, the Neumann Goretti linebacker took to Twitter to announce that he intends to come to Piscataway and join the Scarlet Knights.
I just want to thank god and all my love ones throughout this journey. Coach Schiano and coach Fran are a big part of my decision and I appreciate the whole Rutgers staff.I’m 1000% committed to Rutgers University and we’re building something great @GregSchiano @RUCoachFran pic.twitter.com/gkrfvaVQfH
— Anthony Johnson (@antgeezz) February 18, 2021
“Rutgers made it because of their consistency, and they were honest with me,” Johnson told 247Sports before his decision. “I am not saying other schools weren’t but they told me everything, things they didn’t have to tell me. I already knew (assistant) coach Fran (Brown) because he gave me my first offer when he was at Baylor and I was a freshman. He jump started this whole thing. I had that connection there, plus coach (Greg) Schiano, he’s a great man. He’s coached in the NFL and he has a lot of connections. He’s just a good person. I talk to Rutgers a lot, talk to most of their staff. It’s real natural.”
Johnson is currently a four-star prospect. According to ESPN’s Junior 300 rankings, Johnson is the No. 1 inside linebacker and No. 2 overall prospect in Pennsylvania. 247 Sports composite rankings list Johnson as the no. 6 prospect in Pennsylvania, no. 7 inside linebacker nationally and the 165th overall prospect in the 2022 class.
Johnson holds over a dozen power five offers that include Ohio State and Penn State, in addition to Alabama, Auburn and Oregon which were part of his final four.
This is the first verbal commitment on the defensive side of the ball for Rutgers, and it is a big one. Even after Addison Copeland decided to decommit, Rutgers is off to a strong start in the Class of 2022. This was to be expected with Greg Schiano comfortably back in place as head coach and after a solid first season.
Johnson will join wide receivers Rashad Rochelle and JoJo Bermudez as Rutgers’ commits in the Class of 2022. The Scarlet Knights have heavily recruited offensive lineman. They have landed commitments from Taj White, Kwabena Asamoah, Nelson Monegro, and Joe De Croce.
With the addition of Johnson, the 2022 recruiting class for the Scarlet Knights is ranked 3rd in the Big Ten and 9th nationally in the 247 Sports composite rankings. There is a long way to go but Rutgers is off to a great start this recruiting cycle.
Here are highlights of Johnson’s sophomore season.