On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: Alabama trending for elite ATH Darrell Johnson

Commitment day is a little less than 48 hours out for one of the nation’s top athletes, Eastman (Ga.) Dodge County four-star athlete Darrell “Duke” Johnson.

Alabama, Florida State, Tennessee, UCF, Florida and Texas A&M are the remaining contenders, and the Seminoles have been considered the favorites in his recruitment for most of the past year. But in the past few weeks, a new contender has emerged.

“For many months, Florida State’s been trending for Duke Johnson. They’ve had him on campus more than any other school. Mike Norvell has made him a priority from the beginning. And he’s always had the best relationships with that staff. And there’s really no real close second, maybe UCF going into the New Year, but he’s been close to committing to Florida State multiple times.

… But taking some visits I think have opened his eyes a little bit and coming out of his visit last week, Alabama is now who I’m hearing is the favorite to land him. Obviously, the new staff made a strong impression on him. He watched the team work out, he met the staff and kind of got a better understanding of their scheme how he would fit in.”

The Crimson Tide’s position as the top school is now reflected in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) after multiple picks went in Alabama’s favor over the past few days. Alabama now holds an 84.1 percent chance of securing his commitment and adding a sixth pledge to its 2025 class.

Johnson is the No. 35 overall prospect and No. 2 ATH in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 7 player in Georgia.

Johnson talks top contenders ahead of his commitment

With his big decision right around the corner, Johnson previewed his commitment by diving in on his interest in four of his final six schools with On3’s Phillip Dukes.

UCF: “I just like the vibe with me and the coaches we all have, the loyalty that me and Coach (Alex) Mathis got, and me and Coach (Addison) Williams got. We’ve got good connections, they call me, hit me up everyday, talking about football, outside of football and basketball, too. If they were to get my commitment, it would probably be based on loyalty and relationships.”

Texas A&M: “It’s a cool vibe down there, they just showed me around a lot. A two-day weekend, so I could see the field, softball games, baseball games and all of that. It was fun, so like, If I did go there it would be a good vibe with coaches and players, stuff like that.”

Alabama: “Going there, like, it’s just a good vibe. The coaches want me and I want them, so they were recruiting me hard when I got there, telling me “come home” and they want me, they’re ready. I watched the coach and everything, making sure Bama’s still gonna be the same, cause Saban is gone. Practice was the same, they didn’t miss a beat, everybody’s still getting after it and all that.”

Florida State: “Florida State’s really a good school. I like Coach (Mike) Norvell, Coach (Patrick) Surtain, Coach (Carter) Barfield. We have a great bond with Coach Norvell, my mom actually does, too. Going there, my commitment would be based on relationships, loyalty, hard work and good work ethic.”