Vols land commitment from junior college tackle Larry Johnson III
Tennessee continues to add to the 2023 signing class with the latest commitment coming from the junior college ranks in offensive tackle Larry Johnson III from Hutchinson Community College.
“I felt like it was time to. It was a strong feeling,” Johnson said Wednesday after his commitment. “Tennessee hit a little different. It just felt right. The staff was fired up and they said it brightened up their day when I told them. It’s beyond excitement for me. I can’t really find the words for how I feel right now.”
Johnson received his Vol offer on Saturday following his semifinal playoff game and visit a with offensive line coach Glen Elarbee.
“After the game, we had a nice long meeting,” Johnson said. “I learned a lot from him. We went over what Tennessee was about. He was teaching me and quizzing me to see where my mind was schematically as a lineman. He enjoyed visiting with me. I feel like he is really genuine.”
Johnson is originally from Savannah, Georgia (Jenkins High School) and was a full qualifier when he graduated last May. Johnson decided to go the junior college route after not getting the recruiting attention he felt he should have gotten.
“It was never about my academics. My grades have always been good. I wasn’t really recruited. Savannah isn’t the most heavily recruited area and the other reason is because we just came off the COVID year. I’m class of 2022. Due to COVID there were seniors getting extra years and that kind of led to roster spots being limited. The transfer portal and things like that kind of set the class of 2022 behind, which kind of limited my recruitment.”
The 6-7, 335 Johnson has played right tackle and left tackle this fall. He will start at right tackle in Hutchinson’s championship game next week.
Last month, Johnson visited Houston. He will visit Tennessee next weekend.
