New Developments for Johnson

Philadelphia, Pa., product Chris Johnson is seriously considering an offer from Buffalo at this point and will be visiting later this month to meet with the coaching staff and tour the campus and facilities. A number of developments have taken place in his recruiting over the past several weeks and he filled us in on all of them.

Chris Johnson has been spending the summer working out with quarterback coach Brett Gordon, a current assistant and former player at LaSalle High School. Gordon knows a bit about passing, having been a signal caller himself at Villanova years ago as he worked alongside current Philadelphia Eagle Brian Westbrook. A player who once threw for a career high 460 yards in one game at the collegiate level, Gordon’s tutelage could go a long way in taking this 6-foot-1, 200-pound raw athlete into a precise pocket passer.

“I have just been working really hard with Brett Gordon on my mechanics and footwork and am starting to see it pay huge dividends,” Johnson stated. “I had a three-quarter release before, but now have a smooth, overhead delivery and I think this season I could open some eyes with the chances we are making. I really appreciate the work Brett is doing with me because LaSalle is obviously a rival of ours and it just shows how much he wants to help younger players like myself. He has really helped me a lot over the summer.”

The Roman Catholic quarterback most definitely has the tools to be a Division I quarterback, possessing the physique of a 22-year old and a cannon for an arm, but was inconsistent last year mechanically and had a tendency to try and force the ball a bit too much. Currently Johnson holds one written scholarship offers from Buffalo and recent developments have definitely changed his recruiting picture.

“Well, first of all Temple took back the scholarship they offered me because they said they already have two quarterback commitments,” Johnson said. “I wish them the best of luck and will just move on as it is out of my control. I was also talking to Minnesota a lot and really love the coaching staff and program, however they decided they want me to come and play linebacker which I don’t think I want to do, so our contact has really faded at this point. My father has been working a lot lately as well and is my only means of transportation right now, so when I told Connecticut I wouldn’t be able to make it to camp because of his work schedule they told me they would not be recruiting me anymore. It’s unfortunate, but I can’t control that and obviously my family needs to take care of our situation first, so I guess Connecticut is just dropped mutually now. I just couldn’t get to any camps this summer that were outside of the Philadelphia area.”

Given some of those recent developments people could come to the conclusion that it was a rough month for Johnson, however that is definitely not the feel you get from speaking with him. He is very excited about the opportunities he does have on the table right now and will be working hard to gain more attention as a senior.

“I am going up to Buffalo on either the 22nd or 23rd of July to meet with Head Coach Turner Gill and the rest of the coaching staff and will be able to check out the campus, facilities and everything they have to offer there,” Johnson explained. “They have been my leader for a little while here and I have thought about committing to them to be honest, but I may wait it out a bit and see how my senior season goes with all the work I have been doing. We’ll see as right now it is all about the feeling I get up on campus at Buffalo from the staff and the school.”

Rutgers, Michigan State and Boston College have also been in constant contact with Johnson over the last month. As a junior, Johnson threw for 1047 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also added four rushing touchdowns. While he would prefer to play quarterback at the next level and has the talent to do so, he could also project at the running back or linebacker position easily.