Kevin Johnson commits to SMU

Chad Morris and his staff put together a solid first class at SMU, adding some top local talent in 2015.

But the staff was not done adding players and last week nabbed the commitment of Waskom athlete Kevin Johnson for 2015.

Johnson did not take the ACT until recently which delayed his recruitment until late in the spring but he received two offers from SMU and North Texas and took visits to the two campuses before making his decisions.

"I went to North Texas first. I thought maybe I can handle this and the whole time I was thinking SMU is bigger," Johnson said. "I went on a tour of the (UNT) campus and the coaches are nice. I met some of the players and met the counselor. I had a pretty good time."

"I thought I might not even go to SMU to visit after going to North Texas but I got to SMU and I seen that it was a lot smaller. I met all the coaches, they got to talking about me playing defense. I like that more than offense. And they talked about the smaller classes and I thought that'd be more comfortable for me because I go to a smaller high school."

Johnson will be back at SMU on June 5 for a camp and will enroll at SMU in July and start practicing with his new team.

Johnson, the first from his high school to go to a DI football program, said the chance to play defense at SMU made the school a more logical choice for him.

"Basically I'll start out as a corner until I get bigger and then move to safety," Johnson said. "I just feel more comfortable playing defense. UNT wanted me to play offense but I just didn't see how I'd fit with the body I got in college (5-foot-10, 170 pounds). SMU puts me in a better situation for myself and my school."

Johnson, who wants to study psychology in school, was recruited by assistant Justin Stepp.

"We actually didn't talk that much when he came down here but then I didn't have my test score," Johnson said. "He reminds me of my coach so it was really cool to get to meet him. I feel comfortable with him."

Johnson gave his commitment to Morris himself and he was "excited" by the news.

"He said I chose a great place and he was looking for me to play a big role on the team but in my head I got to work," Johnson said.