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Hey y'all, I caught up with not only one of State's top targets for the 2026 class, but one of the visitors from the Bulldogs' junior day last weekend, four-star athlete O'Mari Johnson. A few good nuggets he shared that I'll pass on here.
First off, Johnson has been to State countless times. He literally told me he's lost count. But he did say it was the first time he'd visited since back in the fall during the season. Johnson told me," It wasn’t all about football. We just kicked back and watched some basketball, just had fun. I learn something new every time I go."
A couple of things: Johnson had been recruited primarily by assistant coach Chad Bumphis. Now, he said they haven't talked a ton and that "I talk to the whole staff, offense and defense." He told me there isn't a coach he doesn't talk regularly with now. That seemed strange, since I thought Bump would be Johnson's position coach. BUT, Johnson told me State is one of a handful of schools now recruiting him to play offense AND defense. I'll make the case to Rivals, but I think Johnson should now be listed as an athlete.
It seems like Johnson is good with playing receiver or defense. If the latter were the case, it sounds like he'd be safety. Johnson told me, "They ask me what I prefer more and I was like, ‘It really doesn’t matter.’" He didn't go into specifics on the other schools looking at defense, but I'll stay on him.
The only other school Johnson has been to in the last few months is Tulane, the previous weekend for a junior day. I think that went well, but I'm not sure if he'll take an official visit there. That seems like the next step, which will come in May and June. Johnson told me he wants to see Tennessee, Missouri, Texas A&M and Miami. He's only been to Miami of that group.
So, based on his actions in visiting, how he talked about State, I do think the Bulldogs are the favorite. It's not enough for a FutureCast just yet, but I don't think it's that far off. It'll be interesting to see where the official visits will be to. If State gets one, I think that's the pick. But he may also not take a Bulldogs official and still commit, since he's visited so much. Miami is the one that really piqued his interest, so I'm watching that one the most.
Full story coming.
Hey y'all, I caught up with not only one of State's top targets for the 2026 class, but one of the visitors from the Bulldogs' junior day last weekend, four-star athlete O'Mari Johnson. A few good nuggets he shared that I'll pass on here.
A couple of things: Johnson had been recruited primarily by assistant coach Chad Bumphis. Now, he said they haven't talked a ton and that "I talk to the whole staff, offense and defense." He told me there isn't a coach he doesn't talk regularly with now. That seemed strange, since I thought Bump would be Johnson's position coach. BUT, Johnson told me State is one of a handful of schools now recruiting him to play offense AND defense. I'll make the case to Rivals, but I think Johnson should now be listed as an athlete.
It seems like Johnson is good with playing receiver or defense. If the latter were the case, it sounds like he'd be safety. Johnson told me, "They ask me what I prefer more and I was like, ‘It really doesn’t matter.’" He didn't go into specifics on the other schools looking at defense, but I'll stay on him.
The only other school Johnson has been to in the last few months is Tulane, the previous weekend for a junior day. I think that went well, but I'm not sure if he'll take an official visit there. That seems like the next step, which will come in May and June. Johnson told me he wants to see Tennessee, Missouri, Texas A&M and Miami. He's only been to Miami of that group.
So, based on his actions in visiting, how he talked about State, I do think the Bulldogs are the favorite. It's not enough for a FutureCast just yet, but I don't think it's that far off. It'll be interesting to see where the official visits will be to. If State gets one, I think that's the pick. But he may also not take a Bulldogs official and still commit, since he's visited so much. Miami is the one that really piqued his interest, so I'm watching that one the most.
Full story coming.
