Alabama signee RJ Johnson requests NLI release

RJ Johnson, a three-star senior and Alabama signee, has requested to be released from his National Letter of Intent, he told On3.

The 6-foot-2 combo guard out of Huntsville (Ala.) Grissom High committed to the Tide back in October before signing in November. He chose Alabama over Georgia.

Johnson provided the following statement to On3:

“After much prayer and counsel, it was not an easy decision but I asked for my release from my NLI from the University of Alabama. I want to thank Coach Oats and staff for granting me the special opportunity. I just feel right now it’s best for me to pursue other opportunities elsewhere.”

Johnson ranks as the No. 193 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranks as the nation’s No. 22 combo guard and the No. 2 player in the state of Alabama.

Alabama retains three signees from the high school ranks: four-star power forward Sam Walters (No. 70), four-star shooting guard Kris Parker (No. 88), and four-star small forward Mouhamed Dioubate (No. 93). The Crimson Tide also recently landed a commitment from Jaykwon Walton, a transfer from Wichita State.

‘Bama finished atop the SEC with a conference record of 16-2. Nate Oats led the Tide to the Sweet 16 before falling to San Diego State, concluding the season with an overall record of 31-6.

Johnson On3 NIL Valuation

RJ Johnson currently holds a $11,900 On3 NIL Valuation.

The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets the standard market NIL value for high school and college athletes. A proprietary algorithm, the On3 NIL Valuation calculates an athlete’s NIL value using dynamic data points targeting three primary categories: performance, influence and exposure.

About On3 NIL Valuation, Brand Value, Roster Value

While the algorithm includes deal data, it does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals athletes have completed to date, nor does it set an athlete’s NIL valuation for their entire career.

The On3 NIL Valuation accounts for an athlete’s roster value and brand value. Roster value is the value an athlete has by being a member of his or her team at his or her school, which factors into the role of NIL collectives. Brand value factors in an athlete’s personal brand and the value it could bring to regional and national brands outside of the scope of NIL collectives.