Alabama linebacker will choose out-of-state option this week
Thomas Johnston certainly appreciates the opportunity to play at Auburn in his home state. He just wants to play linebacker more.
The Spanish Fort, Alabama, prospect will choose between Ole Miss, Iowa and Arkansas this week, days following his visit to to see the Rebels, the last of his official visits.
Those three schools are all giving him the chance to play his natural position, while the Tigers had offered him on the offensive side of the ball.
"I actually told Auburn that I’m going somewhere that wants me at linebacker," Johnston said. "I’ve grown up playing linebacker and I love defense. I love hitting people. The opportunity to go to Auburn is awesome, but I’m doing what’s best for me."
It was Johnston's first visit to Oxford, and the town and school left positive impressions. He visited Auburn January 13, Iowa in December and Arkansas during the season.
Ole Miss emphasized its need for linebackers in this class. The Rebels don't have a plethora or players returning at the position and currently have three committed, Josh Clarke, Brenden Williams and Breon Dixon, in this class.
"This place is awesome," Johnston said. "Beautiful campus, awesome people. I had a great weekend. They bring that family atmosphere that other schools do and I feel wanted up here. They don’t want me, they need me.
"They didn’t guarantee anything, but they say it’s the best opportunity in the SEC to come in as a true freshman... I’ve always dreamed about playing as a true freshman, but I’ll take that year to redshirt if I need it. I want to go in and have the opportunity, for sure."
Johnston has an aunt, uncle and grandparents within 90 minutes of the Iowa campus, and he's comfortable with Arkansas' distance because of the road games in the SEC West giving his family options to see him play.
The head coaches at those two schools are positive factors.
The coaches up there at Iowa you can trust them," Johnston said. (Head coach Kirk) Ferentz signed a 10-year contract and has been there 27 or 28 years total. He is probably there all four years and that’s hard to say now. That speaks for itself.
"I love (Arkansas) coach (Bret) Bielema. He’s recruited me throughout the process."
Ole Miss defensive coordinator Wesley McGriff had a prior relationship with Johnston from McGriff's time at Auburn, but it's picked up rapidly since he took the Ole Miss job.
"I’ve known him for about a year," Johnston said. "It’s grown a lot the last month. Great guy and a great recruiter. It’s going to be hard for people to turn him down."
The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder had 16 tackles to pick up MVP honors in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic.
His decision date isn't known other than sometime this week. He said family and friends will gather at a local Spanish Fort restaurant to celebrate the choice.
"I just want to get on the field as soon as possible," Johnston said.