Michael Johnson

Colorado State usually picks up one or two players from the South Florida area each season, and has done so again this year, with a verbal commitment from Weston, Fla. linebacker Michael Johnson, who was one of a dozen or so recruits who made an official visit to campus the first weekend in December.

Colorado State usually picks up one or two players from the South Florida area each season, and did so again this year, with a verbal commitment from Weston, Fla. linebacker Michael Johnson, who was one of a dozen or so recruits who made an official visit to campus the first weekend in December.

Scout.com reported Thursday that Johnson (5-10, 200 lb) committed earlier this week following his visit to Fort Collins, adding that Johnson said it is a “solid commitment” and that he is finished taking official visits.

Johnson could play weakside linebacker or end up as a strong safety at CSU. At Cypress Bay H.S., he averaged around 10 tackles per game and also played running back, a position that the Broward County Athletic Association listed him among the top 30 players in the area. During his junior season, Johnson compiled 74 tackles, caused five fumbles, recovered three, and scored one defensive touchdown. He also wrestles and competes in track.

Johnson attended summer camps run by Iowa, Rutgers, Central Florida, Miami, and Pitt. At the Miami Nike Camp, he ran a sub-par 4.6 forty, but a quick 4.17 shuttle and also bench pressed 225 lb a total of 29 times and jumped 29.5 inches in the vertical. That gave him an overall SPARQ rating of 84.00, which placed him 10th in the entire south region. Johnson also had offers from Ole Miss and Liberty, and was being recruited by the likes of Iowa, Auburn, Central Florida, South Florida, and Cal. He is a three-star prospect according to Scout.com and a two-star per Rivals.com.

Johnson has an interest in sports medicine. He becomes the 12th known commitment of the 2006 class. CSU head coach Sonny Lubick has said the Rams have about 20 scholarships to give. He is the fifth player known to have committed following the two major visit weekends this month (December 3-4 and 10-11). Within the past week and a half, the Rams have received commitments from Ricky Brewer a 5-11, 200 lb linebacker from Denver’s Mullen High School; Josh Dorsey a 6-1, 180 lb safety also from Mullen; Cory Macon a 6-5, 210 lb tight end from Anchorage, Alaska.; Patrick Massey a 6-5, 220 lb defensive end from Austin, Tex.; and Sean McDougal a 6-1, 200 lb quarterback from Arvada West High School in Arvada Colo.