3rd visit to Arkansas impresses 4-star QB Avery Johnson

On3 Consensus four-star quarterback Avery Johnson was in Fayetteville, Ark., on Saturday for his third unofficial visit in the past seven months.

Johnson was previously on campus last summer for a camp, again on Sept. 11 for the Hawgs’ 40-21 victory over Texas, and then again on Saturday. Johnson shared two photos on social media from the visit and indicated he “enjoyed his time in Fayetteville.”

enjoyed my time in Fayetteville today‼️@kendalbriles @CoachSamPittman pic.twitter.com/Dwym5jKuxb

— Avery Johnson (@avery2johnson) January 30, 2022

Johnson further reinforced that sentiment in an interview with WholeHogSports. In the interview, Johnson said, “I’ve got no problems with this place. I love everything about it.”

Johnson is being recruited by Arkansas offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, and the two have built a special bond through their conversations and face-to-face meetings. Johnson said he spent most of his time on Saturday talking with Briles about how he’d fit into the system at Arkansas.

Originally Johnson had hoped to have a decision out of the way this spring, but it sounds like the silly season and coaching changes all over the country might have altered his timeline somewhat.

“I’m going to be committed by before next football season, but I wouldn’t be able to tell you really a timetable,” Johnson told WholeHogSports.

Who are the contenders for Avery Johnson?

Avery Johnson has a long list of schools that have offered him, but Notre Dame, Kansas State and Arkansas are currently the three teams that are leading in his recruitment, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

The visit to Fayetteville actually helped propel the Hogs into the No. 1 spot, according to the On3 RPM. The Hogs now have a 28.6% chance of landing Johnson, compared to Notre Dame’s 14.5% and Kansas State’s 14.5%. Johnson has visited both Notre Dame and K-State twice over his recruitment.

One team to keep an eye on in Johnson’s recruitment is Nebraska.

The Huskers joined Avery Johnson’s offer list 16 days ago, and he is set to take an unofficial visit to Lincoln on March 5. The Huskers have Johnson and JJ Kohl on top of their quarterback board. Kohl visited Nebraska this past weekend, and he walked away very impressed and has plans to return again in March.

Oregon and Tennessee are other teams to pay attention to. The Vols have offered Johnson, but he’s not visited yet since the end of his season. Johnson was at Oregon on Jan. 15, but the Ducks did not extend an offer.

Johnson, who led Maize to the Kansas Class 5A state championship game, ranks as the No. 186 player overall. He is also the No. 11 quarterback in the country, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

On3 ranks Johnson similarly as the No. 11 quarterback and the third-ranked junior recruit in the Sunflower State.