Elite 4-star athlete Darrell Johnson commits to Alabama: ‘It’s like a dream that’s come true’

Growing up, Eastman (Ga.) Dodge County four-star athlete Darrell Johnson wanted to play college football at Alabama. But things changed in his recruitment and for a long time, it seemed like the 6-foot-1, 200-pound recruit was headed to Florida State. 

The Crimson Tide did not give up on Johnson. Shortly after head coach Kalen DeBoer assembled his Alabama staff, they visited Johnson’s high school. Johnson returned to Alabama on March 6 and felt so good about the SEC program that he has decided to commit to his “dream school.” 

“It’s like a dream that’s come true,” Johnson told On3. “Where I’m from, people don’t go to Bama.” 

Alabama’s coaching staff wanted Johnson to ‘come home’

Johnson felt close to choosing Florida State three different times, but the Crimson Tide’s staff won out in the end. Defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach Kane Wommack and co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Colin Hitschler were Johnson’s primary contacts at Alabama, who wants him to play at either linebacker or safety. 

The No. 7 player in Georgia enjoyed watching players like Jalen Hurts, Bo Scarbrough, DeVonta Smith, Patrick Surtain II and Bryce Young previously suit up for the Crimson Tide. He is now set to follow in their footsteps in Tuscaloosa. 

“When I first got there, all the coaches wanted me to come home,” said Johnson, the No. 34 overall prospect and No. 2 athlete in the 2025 On300. “They wanted me real bad. I feel like they wanted me and I wanted to be there too.” 

Johnson is excited about the future at Alabama

DeBoer took over at Alabama following Nick Saban’s retirement in the offseason. Despite the coaching change, Johnson felt a similar vibe to the Saban era when he was recently on the Crimson Tide’s campus. 

His time at Alabama made him feel confident about the future of the program and its staff. The four-star also enjoyed his conversation with DeBoer and likes him a lot.

“I feel like Bama is going to win right away,” Johnson said. “They’re not going to take a year off. I liked how they were being coached up and how they were learning the scheme. They have two linebackers leaving, so if I come in mid-year, I can learn the playbook and get in there fast.” 

Alabama won the SEC Championship last season, but lost in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. Yet Johnson is confident that the Crimson Tide will achieve similar levels of success – and even more – under DeBoer. 

“He’s going to keep Bama at the top,” Johnson said. “We have a lot of factors in the receiving corps and we have a good running back. We still have Jalen Milroe. The defense has been really good too.”