Port Neches-Grove quarterback Roschon Johnson looks for an open receiver during a 2016 game versus Silsbee. He is the first commitment in Texas’ 2019 signing class. (Kim Brent/The Beaumont Enterprise)
Posted July 22nd, 2017
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Four-star quarterback Roschon Johnson becomes Texas’ first 2019 commitment.
- Roschon Johnson is now the leader and face of the 2019 recruiting class for the Longhorns.
- Texas’ newest commit is as dangerous with his feet as he is with his arm.
A recruiting class doesn’t start until a quarterback is in the fold. Tom Herman decided to start his 2019 class with a commitment from a quarterback when Port Neches-Groves signal-caller Roschon Johnson pledged to the Longhorns at the Stars at Night camp Friday on campus.
Johnson is a four-star dual-threat quarterback ranked No. 14 on The Next 25 and as the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in the entire 2019 class, per 247Sports Composite. Let’s learn more about Texas’ first commitment of the 2019 recruiting class.
He was named the District 22-5A MVP as a sophomore, passing for 2,318 yards and rushing for 1,650. Johnson accounted for 56 total touchdowns, throwing 26 touchdown passes to just six interceptions on 143 passing attempts. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry.
Johnson held 15 offers, including programs like Ohio State, Florida State and Oregon.
Immediate impact: There is a long time before Johnson arrives on campus. On paper, the dual-threat quarterback would be afforded a valuable redshirt season. Shane Buechele would be entering his senior season with Sam Ehlinger as a junior.
Texas holds commitments from four-star signal callers Cameron Rising and Casey Thompson in the 2018 class. If no one transfers between now and 2019, Johnson would become the fifth scholarship quarterback on campus and wouldn’t need to play early in his career.
Fitting into the program: It’s safe to say Herman and offensive coordinator Tim Beck prefer mobile quarterbacks. Johnson fits in that category. He ran the ball 250 times as a quarterback during his sophomore season. He’s an elusive player with a long stride in the open field. Johnson is raw as a passer, but so was Houston’s Greg Ward Jr. and he had a good career under Herman when he coached the Cougars.
Johnson was one of two 2019 quarterback prospects with a Texas offer and was on campus numerous times since Herman was hired. It was clear Johnson was Herman’s No. 1 priority in the 2019 class and Texas landed him early in the cycle.
Recruiting at the position: It is unlikely Texas takes two quarterbacks in the 2019 class after signing two quarterbacks in the 2018 class, especially if the Longhorns like their chances with 2018 five-star Tanner McKee, who will serve a two-year mission before enrolling in college for the 2020 season. A transfer from Buechele or Ehlinger, or a de-commitment from one of the 2018 quarterbacks could change the landscape. The safe money is on Johnson remaining Texas’ lone quarterback in the cycle.
Allen quarterback Grant Tisdale also attended Friday’s camp
