Growing up, Eastman (Ga.) Dodge County four-star athlete Darrell Johnson aspired to play collegiate football at Alabama. But things changed during his recruitment, and for a long time, it appeared that the 6-foot-1, 200-pound recruit was headed to Florida State.
The Crimson Tide didn’t give up on Johnson. Head coach Kalen DeBoer and his Alabama staff paid a visit to Johnson’s high school shortly after their formation. Johnson returned to Alabama on March 6 and was so pleased with the SEC program that he decided to commit to his “dream school.”
“It’s like a dream coming true,” Johnson told On3. “Where I’m from, people don’t go to Bama.”
Alabama’s coaching staff urged Johnson to ‘return home’
Johnson came close to picking Florida State three times, but the Crimson Tide’s staff won out in the end. Johnson’s principal contacts at Alabama were defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach Kane Wommack and co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Colin Hitschler, both of whom want him to play linebacker or safety.
The No. 7 Georgia athlete enjoyed watching former Crimson Tide stars Jalen Hurts, Bo Scarbrough, DeVonta Smith, Patrick Surtain II, and Bryce Young. He now plans to follow in their footsteps in Tuscaloosa.
“When I first got there, all the coaches wanted me to come home,” said Johnson, the No. 34 overall prospect and No. 2 athlete in the 2025 On300. “They wanted me very badly. I feel as if they wanted me, and I wanted to be there too.”
Johnson is enthused about the future of Alabama.
DeBoer took over at Alabama when Nick Saban retired during the winter. Despite the coaching change, Johnson recently visited the Crimson Tide’s campus and found a sense of familiarity with the Saban era.
During his time at Alabama, he gained confidence in the program’s and staff’s future. The four-star also loved his talk with DeBoer and has developed a strong liking for him.
“I feel like Alabama is going to win right away,” Johnson added. “They won’t take a year off. I loved how they were taught up and learned the scheme. They have two linebackers leaving, so if I come in mid-season, I can learn the playbook and get in quickly.”
Alabama won the SEC Championship last season but was defeated in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. Johnson is sure, however, that the Crimson Tide will achieve equal – if not greater – success under DeBoer.
“He’s going to keep Alabama at the top,” Johnson remarked. “We have a lot of options in the receiving corps, and we have a solid running back. We still have Jalen Milroe. The defence has also been quite good.
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