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Auburn Recruiting: Kerryon Johnson Cancels Alabama Official Visit and Sends a Message

By Nicholas Ian Allen

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The top rated commit in the 2015 Auburn recruiting class, running back Kerryon Johnson made a statement this week by canceling an official visit to Alabama, according to a report from AuburnUndercover.

“I’m not going to ‘Bama,” Johnson said, simply.

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Johnson, who recently earned the title of Mr. Football in the state of Alabama for his performance as a high school senior, and also earned five-star status from ESPN, was expected to be in Tuscaloosa this weekend. But Johnson said last weekend he was unsure whether or not he would make the trip.

The decision not to make another official visit shows his commitment to the Tigers, and could be a sign to some of the other highly-touted Auburn recruiting targets that were on campus for Big Boom Weekend January 16.

Johnson and several other Auburn commits were part of the event on either official or unofficial visits, but also to help recruit them. Among the most notable uncommitted players to visit were defensive linemen Byron Cowart, CeCe Jefferson and Terry Beckner, Jr – all of which are five-star prospects.

“I’ve never been around this many guys in one visit,” Johnson said last weekend. “This is what it could be. We aren’t going to get every single person, but it shows how many players see what’s going on here.”

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    • “It’s a big group of guys that you have to keep entertained. You don’t want one five-star thinking he hasn’t been talked to as much as someone else. I feel like all those guys really enjoyed it. It went well, we got a lot of good things out of this weekend. I felt like it went really smooth. We know to have a great program you need help. We wanted to make sure they knew we wanted them.”

    While this might not be a popular opinion, I believe players should take full advantage of the opportunity to officially visit several college campuses, meet new people and make 100% certain that they are making the correct choice for them on National Signing Day.

    In other words, I think Johnson should go to Tuscaloosa this weekend. But, by sacrificing that opportunity, Johnson is sending a message.

    I’m not sure what he says when speaking with other recruits, but actions speak louder than words anyway. With his decision not to spend any additional time with Alabama head coach Nick Saban and his staff this weekend, Johnson is basically saying “I believe in Auburn and love it… and you should too.”

    UPDATE: Auburn commit Darrell Williams, a four-star linebacker, also has changed his plans and will not visit Tuscaloosa this weekend, and though the coaches attempted to push the visit back to January 30, Williams decided he won’t visit the Tide at all.

    Next: 3 Reasons Why Byron Cowart is 2015's Most Important Recruit

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