The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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2015 RECRUITING ISSUE their summer camp had earned him an offer from the Garnet and Gold. Johnson heard the talk that FSU was his favorite, and although it wasn't true, he let the rumors persist. "I think after I went to the Florida State camp, people assumed that I had to be going there," he said. "I liked it, but I was never going there. I just let people assume what they wanted to assume." Come Signing Day, the ceremony at Atlantic High School turned out a little differently than many expected. Johnson donned a Maize and Blue hat and put his signature on a letter of intent to the Wolverines. According to South Florida Sun-Sen- tinel preps columnist Ryan S. Clark, those assuming Johnson was a lock to stay home never had it right. Though many from the Sunshine State choose not to leave to play their college ball, those in South Florida are more likely to take a national look. "I had a feeling it was Michigan," Clark said. "When they came down and they offered, the quickness with which he got on the plane to take the official said something. Florida State and Miami had been there all year, but when Michigan came in, that became the favorite almost im- mediately. "People underestimate the fact that, just because you're from South Florida, it doesn't mean you want to stay in Florida. Kids are always look- ing to leave, and he was one." Despite his coach-player and fam- ily relationships with Johnson, his head coach was kept in the dark to a degree, as well. He knew that Michi- gan was a serious option, but thanks to the hectic run-up to National Sign- ing Day itself — teammates Markel