Can Ole Miss land 4-Star S Tysheem Johnson?

Tysheem Johnson is one of the more electrifying player in the Philadelphia (Pa.) area. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound two-way player scored 35-touchdowns on 2,000 plus yards from the line of scrimmage. Defensively, he didn't play much due to being the featured offensive skilled player. But defensively is where he might make his bread and butter one day.

"I feel I can lock up anybody in the slot," Johnson said. I'm good when the football is in the air. I can play deep and cover against the post routes, or I can go underneath and cover the slots. I can also get closer to the line of scrimmage, do some blitzing and support the run."
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Tysheem Johnson  
Philadelphia, PA (Neumann Goretti)
ATH   
5-10   
190 
CLASS OF 21

247Sports Composite: 0.9012
NATL.: 277
S: 15
PA: 9

Ole Miss
100%

LEAD EXPERT
BrianDohn

Do not ask him which side of the ball he prefers.

"People hate to hear this, but I really don't have a preference. I'll play wherever they put me. I can play running back, slot-back, safety, corner, kick returner, Wildcat, just anywhere you want to put me. That's for the coaches to decide. I'm just a football player. I just want to be out there. It really depends on the college, but more of them have offered me for defensive back than offense."

The list of suitors is long and extensive. He's been offered by just about every top program in his area. That includes Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Syracuse, Temple, and Rutgers.

"The only visits I've been on are to Penn State, Maryland and Virginia Tech. I've been to a game at Penn State and Virginia Tech. I went to Penn State's junior day this spring but that's it. I was supposed to visit Ole Miss on March 21st but the pandemic hit. That stopped everything. Hopefully I'll get to go on some visits this summer. If I do, I'll come out with a top five before my season starts."

The list of schools vying for the 1st Team All-State, Catholic and City selection doesn't stop on the east coast. Several of the SEC programs have offered. That includes LSU, Florida, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Vandy, LSU and the school Tysheem was set to visit before pandemic hit, Ole Miss.

"Ole Miss has been recruiting me heavy for a minute. I have a great relationship with those guys. Coaches (Chris) Partridge, (DJ) Durkin and (Devin) Bush; I talk to all of those guys pretty much every day. I'm thinking hard about Ole Miss right now because I'm really close to their staff."

The Rebels have done a good job of explaining what his role will be on their team.

"We get on zoom and just watch their plays. They show me how I'll be used and what my position is going to be. It's star (safety). They think I'm a perfect fit for their star position because my skill set matches up perfectly for that position. I can cover the slots, drop back for deep routes, get on the line of scrimmage and blitz the quarterback and make big plays in the offensive backfield. Then as I get older I can start playing some offense. I'll play some Wildcat and return some kicks. I think it's a great fit for me, honestly."

Which programs are coming after the No. 15 rated safety the hardest?

"There are a lot of them. Definitely Ole Miss, LSU, and Arizona State. Those three are heavy right now, real heavy. But all of the schools are staying in consistent contact. Like Maryland, Texas A&M, West Virgina, Nebraska and Wake Forest."

LSU head coach personally let Tysheem know he had a scholarship offer when it was extended a few weeks back. Today the boss from the Tiger's program was back on the phone with Johnson.

"I just spoke to coach (Ed) O(rgeron) earlier today. He's ready for me to be a Tiger. That's what he always tells me (laugh). I talk to (LSU safety) coach (Bill) Busch almost every day. They think I can become the next great defensive back in their program. They are just ready to get me down there."

Arizona State might be thousands of miles away, but they are very much in the game.

"They want me on the offensive side of the ball. They want to use me on jet sweeps, put me in at Wildcat, and catch some balls at slot. They are really coming after me the hardest to play offense."

Johnson listed what he liked about Ole Miss, LSU and Arizona State."

"Ole Miss has a different environment. I don't know if too many people from my area have gone to Ole Miss. I can go into a laid back environment down there and really concentrate on my school and athletics. I just like the vibe I'm getting there."

"LSU puts you in the NFL. They put everybody in the NFL. I know if I go there I'll have a chance to make it to the NFL. That's always been my dream."

"Arizona State is out west. It's nice out west. The sun is always shinning out there. I've been out there once, loved it. Like Ole Miss, it would just give me a different environment to be around."

SOURCE: Porter, Yancy. "Can Ole Miss land 4-Star S Tysheem Johnson?" OMSpirit - 247Sports.com, 5 May 2020, https://247sports.com/college/ole-miss/Article/Can-Ole-Miss-land-4-Star-S-Tysheem-Johnson-146848521/


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