Fullback Hayden Johnson has recently received scholarship offers from Florida State and Nebraska, but neither tempted him to change his commitment from Arkansas.
The SEC and the coaching staff at Arkansas were key for his pledge on June 19.
“The SEC is huge for me,” Johnson said. “They play in the toughest conference in the United States and they have one of the hardest schedules. You really can’t beat playing Alabama, Auburn every year and coming back and playing Mizzou. Those are things you just can’t replace for me.”
Johnson, 6-3, 245, 4.8 seconds in the 40 yard dash. of Columbia, (Mo.) Rock Bridge has more than 20 other scholarship offers from schools like Purdue, Tulsa, Wyoming, Louisiana Tech and Bowling Green. Video highlights CLICK HERE
“I love the coaches down there,” said Johnson of Arkansas. “They’re very…they show a lot of hospitality and they really made me feel welcomed on my two visits. Those are two huge things for me.”
He earned his offer from the Hogs after impressing the Coach Bret Bielema and running backs coach Jemal Singleton during the the first two days of the three day camp on June 14-16. He and his parents made a return trip in late July.
“On my two visits down there, coach Singleton has already kind of showed me how the running backs work in just two small visits,” Johnson said. “That’s pretty big for me.”
National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network rates Johnson a 3-star prospect and the No. 1 fullback in the Midland region.
“Hayden has proven to be a load to bring down,” Lemming said. “Despite his height, he runs low to the ground showing good body lean and does a great job of finishing off his runs. He’s also a very effective blocker and receiver.”
Johnson, who recorded 70 tackles, 12.5 sacks and 10 rushing touchdowns as a junior, plans to at least attend the Auburn and Missouri games this season.
The reality of playing his final season of high school football has hit Johnson.
“It hit me about a week ago,” said Johnson, who has a 325 pound bench press, 400 squat and 315 power clean. “It took a little bit to process, but knowing I have a great plan for the future it really kind of settles me down with that.”
Johnson has a 3.92 grade point average and plans to study pre-med. He will miss his teammates once the season is over.
“We’ve kind of become a family over the last four years, especially the seniors,” Johnson said. “We’re all great friends. I’m not going to get sentimental until towards the end of the season, but it’s definitely in the back of my head it’s the last season. So I have to make sure I do something with it.”
Schools have pretty much backed off of Johnson since his commitment to Arkansas. He said the offers from the Cornhuskers and Seminoles were unexpected.
“The last two were clearly out of nowhere,” Johnson said. “I hadn’t heard from them in months. Those were just two random phone calls that ended up being offers. It was kind of surprising for me.”