2025 4-star RB Donovan Johnson dives into his top five schools

Donovan Johnson is out this season due to a knee injury in the spring, but he is still being recruited by many of the best in college football and he has started to narrow his list down. The No. 90 prospect in the 2025 On3 Industry Rankings has taken in games at Georgia and Tennessee this fall. Those and three others have moved to the top of his list.

“Georgia, Tennessee, Florida State, USC and Ohio State are my top five schools,” Johnson told On3. “Those schools are recruiting me hard. I talk to each of them at least a couple of times each week and I like the culture at each school. I see a family atmosphere at each school and there is brotherhood at these schools. That is something I am looking for.”

The 6-foot-0.5, 210-pound junior out of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy has visited Georgia four times. Florida State and Tennessee have had him on campus twice. Johnson has visited Ohio State and USC once. He will be back in Tallahassee for the Miami game on Nov. 11.

Each visit is important as he moves forward with his recruitment.

“I am getting closer to a decision and cutting my list to five schools is a big part of my recruitment. This is what it is all about. I am working to find the right college for me. Overall, I am not too close, but I am close enough to cut my list down.”

Johnson’s recruitment started his freshman season. Austin Peay offered first. The is was UCF. It took off from there. He could wait and take official visits before he makes a decision, but he is not ruling out a decision before the spring.

“Anything could happen at any time,” Johnson said. “I am searching for that family atmosphere. It is about my bond with the staff, how I feel around the head coach and running back and what culture fits me best. The academics will be important too. I want to major in engineering, so the overall development on and off the field will help me make my decision.”

Johnson dives in to his top five schools

FLORIDA STATE: “I love Coach Mike Norvell. Coach YAC (David Johnson) is great too. I talk to those two a lot, they are great people and we have good relationships. I grew up watching Dalvin Cook, he was one of my favorite running backs and that put me high on Florida State. Me and Rodney Hill talk a lot, we are from the same area and he says great things about Florida State.”

GEORGIA: “I am from Georgia, so I have always been surrounded by friends and family that have been to Georgia and like Georgia. I am really in that Georgia culture every day. They produce running backs and I love Coach Dell McGee.”

OHIO STATE: “I have a lot of love for Coach Tony Alford. He is my dog. We talk all the time and I love what he has done over the last decade with the running backs he has coached. We have that great relationship and I working to get there for a game this season.”

TENNESSEE: “Every time I am at Tennessee, there is that family feeling. I am talking with Coach Jerry Mack and Coach Josh Heupel a lot. There is that good vibe up there. Tennessee has good people.”

USC: “I was USC for their spring game and I had a great time. I like Coach Kiel McDonald a lot. He and Coach Lincoln Riley are great guys to talk to and deal with. I get nothing but great things from them. Coach McDonald is great and I love how Coach Riley keeps it 100% with me.”