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Johnson makes one more Iowa trip

Cornerback D.J. Johnson visited the Iowa Hawkeyes again on Sunday.
Cornerback D.J. Johnson visited the Iowa Hawkeyes again on Sunday.

With his decision date now just three weeks away, cornerback D.J. Johnson made one more visit to Iowa City this past weekend. For the 6-foot-0, 170-pound Indianapolis native, the trip was a chance to watch the Hawkeyes at work on their first day of practice and catch up with the Iowa coaching staff.

“There wasn’t much different, but I just wanted to get back up there and visit again before the dead period starts,” said Johnson, referencing the new August dead period.

“The only thing that was different was I got to see a practice," he continued. "I saw how they work a lot of technique and things like that. They were slowing it down and making sure they get things right, so I liked that.”

Coaching wise, Johnson met with lead recruiter Kelvin Bell, defensive coordinator Phil Parker, and head coach Kirk Ferentz, each of whom let him know how much of a priority he is for the Hawkeyes in the Class of 2018.

“They just said they were glad to get me back on campus and said I’m definitely the #1 corner that they want to get so they’re really going to be on me still,” Johnson said. “I’m going to make a decision soon, so they’re definitely going to stay on me a ton.”

Johnson, who calls Iowa City a special place, says what stands out the most to him on his visits to Iowa is the relationships that he’s built with the people inside the Hawkeye football program.

“It’s just the people,” said Johnson. “I feel like anywhere in the Big Ten, you’re going to get great facilities, but it’s the people that make the difference. That’s what stands out the most about Iowa is just the genuine, down to earth people there.”

A three-star prospect, Johnson has named Iowa and Notre Dame as his two finalists ahead of other offers from Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Purdue, Syracuse, Duke, and Cincinnati, among others. Right now, the plan is to announce his decision on August 22, which will be a special day for his family.

“I’m going to commit on my mom’s birthday, August 22,” Johnson said. “I want to do it then because she’s been a really good person in my life and she’s done a lot for me.”

“I want to give something back to her since she’s done so much for me, so giving her a full ride scholarship on her birthday, that’s the biggest present I can give her.”

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