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No. 1 quarterback Hunter Johnson flips from Vols to Clemson
By JC Shurburtt
Published:
The nation’s top-ranked quarterback for the Class of 2017, Hunter Johnson (Brownsburg, Ind.) has flipped his commitment from Tennessee to Clemson.
The news was first-reported by Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports.
Johnson’s surprising pledge (he visited Clemson on Friday unofficially) caps a banner day for the Tigers on the recruiting trail. Earlier Monday, five-star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (Wake Forest, N.C.) committed to Clemson over N.C. State, Alabama, Florida and others. Lawrence is the No. 3 overall prospect in the Class of 2016.
But this 2017 commit is nearly as significant for the Tigers because of the all-important position he plays. The 6-foot-3, 197-pound Johnson, currently ranked as the nation’s No. 17 overall prospect in that class, will hit campus just as Heisman Trophy semifinalist (and 2016 favorite) DeShaun Watson likely departs (provided he declares early).
It’s a tough loss for Tennessee, though the Vols did sign two quarterbacks in the 2015 class and have a four-star developmental-type prospect — Jarrett Guarantano (Oradell, N.J./Bergen Catholic) committed for the 2016 cycle.
This also could potentially help the Vols with Class of 2018 five-star prospect Trevor Lawrence (Cartersville, Ga.). Lawrence has had Tennessee among his early favorites and given his location (Northwest Georgia, toward the state line with Tennessee) one can reasonably expect the Vols to be in the mix through the process.
Quarterbacks are a bit different than other positions in that they like to go where there is a slot on the roster. So while it’s never a good thing to lose a commitment with Johnson’s talent level, it may end up helping Tennessee a bit on the back end.
Recruiting writer for Saturday Down South
