Top-100 recruit Darrell Johnson in daily contact with Gators: ‘Florida is just different’
When the Gators recently hosted their Grill in the Ville recruiting event, over two-dozen prospects were present to soak up all the festivities.
Among those were nearly two-dozen Florida commits, but some key uncommitted targets made an appearance in Gainesville that day as well, with one being Darrell Johnson.
A 2025 four-star prospect from Eastman (Ga.) Dodge County, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Johnson was offered by UF in June and has made two trips to the Swamp this calendar year. His other meeting with the Gators took place in March, so July 29 was the first time visiting since landing the offer.
According to On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine, Florida is also trending with odds of 39.4 percent.
“What stood out the most to me was that the coaches try to build relationships,” Johnson said of the Grill in the Ville when speaking with Gators Online. “It didn’t feel like a visit to me; it felt like I was just catching up with family. It was a great vibe.”
The rising junior is not just another recruit for UF
The On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, labels Johnson the No. 8-ranked athlete and No. 85-ranked prospect regardless of position.
As for Billy Napier’s staff, they are courting Johnson to play under Jay Bateman at linebacker. It’s one of their top targets at the position for the 2025 cycle.
“My relationship with the staff is great,” said Johnson. “Me and coach Batemen talk a lot. Even if it’s not about football, we still talk. He checks on me daily.”
Johnson is in no hurry to pull himself off the market
Although the Gators are considered a major contender, Johnson is not ready to attach them to a certain ranking on his list.
However, if all goes as planned, the top-100 prospect will be revealing his top-10 schools in the near future. And barring any surprises, we are expecting the SEC program to make the cut.
Additional offers on the table include Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee, Florida State, Auburn, Texas A&M, North Carolina and N.C. State among others.
“Florida is just different,” said Johnson. “The vibe you get when you step on campus, seeing all the coaches greeting you and loving on you, it just feels like home.”
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER AND GET BREAKING NEWS SENT FOR FREE!
Stay tuned to Gators Online.
The post Top-100 recruit Darrell Johnson in daily contact with Gators: ‘Florida is just different’ appeared first on On3.
