Michigan State signs 2024 three-star IOL Rakeem Johnson
2024 Boise (Idaho) Bishop Kelly High School three-star interior offensive lineman Rakeem Johnson signed with Michigan State on Wednesday. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Johnson committed to Michigan State on Tuesday, following an official visit to East Lansing the weekend of Dec. 15.
Johnson decommitted from Oregon State on Dec. 11, shortly after former Beaver head coach Jonathan Smith left for Michigan State. Johnson chose to follow Smith and new Spartan offensive line coach Jim Michalczik from Corvallis, Ore., to East Lansing over offers from Washington State, BYU, California, Boise State and Boston College.
Johnson is the No. 1104 prospect, No. 99 interior offensive lineman and No. 2 player from Idaho, per the On3 Industry Rankings.
He spent the weekend in East Lansing with fellow three-star offensive line recruits Payton Stewart and Rustin Young. Like Johnson, Stewart and Young are former Oregon State commits who pledged to Michigan State following their official visits.
Scouting summary
Johnson is a physical, athletic offensive lineman that projects on the interior of the line at the next level. He is a force in the run game and is capable of getting out in space. Johnson has worked to gain weight to get up to his current 6-foot-3, 260 pound frame, and he will likely add to that once he arrives in East Lansing. Johnson also played defensive end in high school. He projects as a good fit in Smith and Michalczik’s run scheme at Michigan State.
Personal life
Johnson’s parents and older brother were born in Liberia. His parents visited East Lansing with him the weekend of Dec. 15. He said they were fully on-board with his decision to commit to Michigan State after learning more about the program and the campus.
“They were also very excited for me and believed it was the best opportunity for me,” Johnson said.
