Elite 4-star ATH Darrell Johnson talks top contenders ahead of commitment

Eastman (Ga.) Dodge County four-star athlete Darrell “Duke” Johnson is set to come off the board this week as he will announce his commitment on Wednesday, March 20. Six schools made the final cut for the elite Peach State prospect.

Alabama, Florida State, Tennessee, UCF, Florida and Texas A&M remain in the mix for the 6-foot-1, 200-pound do-it-all recruit. Johnson’s recruitment has been a long road, but he’s ready to fulfill a lifelong dream in around 48 hours.

“The school I’m going to is my dream school since I was like real little,” Johnson told On3’s Phillip Dukes on ‘The Five Star Flex’. “Going to your dream school, a real big blessing.”

Johnson can make an impact on the field on both sides of the ball, but a career at safety or linebacker is likely in the cards at the college level. Regardless of what’s in store, he’s ready to dive head-first and make a splash at his future home next year.

“You will get a hard-working player, never slack on the field, weight room, classroom. On time, leave late, everything. I’m coming in to work and to be a dog,” Johnson said.

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.

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.”