Longhorns in the running for an elite defensive line prospect.
Texas defensive line coach Kenny Baker has been a busy man over the past couple of months and his efforts are being rewarded in the form of commitments and Texas being in the conversation for several high profile defensive line prospects.
Four-star Miami (FL) Northwestern defensive tackle James ‘JJ” Johnson recently took an official visit to Texas and came away with very high remarks. On3’s Hayes Fawcett is now reporting that Texas along with Florida, Georgia, and Miami are the finalists for Johnson’s recruitment and that he has also scheduled his decision date in the upcoming days.
NEWS: Elite 2026 DL James “JJ” Johnson will announce his Commitment on June 28th, he tells me for @on3recruits
The No. 1 DL in the ‘26 Class will choose between Florida, Georgia, Miami, & Texas
Where Should He Go? ⬇️https://t.co/fZmb7mLvuW pic.twitter.com/jmoE7LRhl9
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 25, 2025
This was always pegged as a tough recruitment, but Texas certainly put its best foot forward after hosting Johnson in the spring and then again in the summer for his official visit.
Had a great time at the University of Texas @CoachK_Baker pic.twitter.com/1HjnuoIdxQ
— James “JJ” Johnson 4⭐️ (@JamesJohnson_52) June 24, 2025
Both Florida and Miami have been working hard to keep a talent like Johnson home, but earlier today On3’s Chad Simmons and Steve Wiltfong logged RPM picks for Johnson to ultimately select Georgia.
On3’s @ChadSimmons_ and @SWiltfong_ have logged expert predictions for Georgia to land elite DL James Johnson
Johnson is the No. 1 DL in the 2026 On300.
Read: https://t.co/wypSmikIoO pic.twitter.com/Juccwgm5Sy
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) June 25, 2025
Things could always change over the next few days, but it looks like this recruitment is trending towards Athens and the Bulldogs as of today.