Orhian Johnson waiting on offer

Orhian Johnson is familiar with Tennessee’s successful history.

The athlete from Boca Ciega High School in Gulfport, Fla., has grown up following the three big in-state schools: Florida, Florida State and Miami. But he’s also seen plenty of UT.

Johnson said he’s become familiar with the Vols by watching them win the 1998 National Championship and battling SEC East rival Florida each year.

“Seeing that rivalry all the time was a great thing,” he said. “They played Florida State in the national title game and pulled out the win. Florida State had a great team and Tennessee went out and played better and got the win.”

Johnson has received strong interest from UT but is still waiting on a scholarship offer. He currently lists offers from Ohio State, South Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Florida International, Western Kentucky and Connecticut. He said he’s also received interest from Ole Miss.

The 6-foot-4, 195-pound Johnson said an offer from UT would put the Vols near the top of his list of schools.

“Getting offered from Tennessee would be great for me,” he said. “I don’t have a favorite so if Tennessee offered they would be at the top of my list. All the schools that have offered me are my favorites.”

Johnson visited UT on Aug. 11 with his father to watch the Vols’ first full scrimmage of the preseason. Johnson said he was impressed by UT’s facilities and the history involved with the program.

“These are the same places that Tee Martin and Peyton Manning walked around and other top-notch SEC players,” he said. “Being on that campus and knowing some of the greats went there was a great experience.”

Johnson, who will play quarterback and safety this year, is being recruited by UT and Ohio State as an athlete. The other schools on his list are recruiting him to play quarterback.

Johnson said he doesn’t have a preference as long as he finds a school with the right fit.

“I want to go out there and play the best position they think I can play and fit in a system for me,” he said. “I know I can play football. It’s just about finding the right home.”

If UT offers Johnson a scholarship, Ohio State could be tough competition for his services. The Buckeyes are his highest profile offer to date and have plenty of recent success to entice Johnson.

“They didn’t win the national championship last year but they’re always a big powerhouse in college football,” he said. “They’re always on top and they always progress big-time players.”

One of those big-time players is someone Johnson can relate to.

“They said they brought in Troy Smith as an athlete and he ended up being a Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback,” Johnson said. “To be put in that category as an athlete and let them find the best spot for me is real cool.”

Johnson said he hasn’t received strong interest from any of the three big in-state schools. He said the opportunity to stay close to home would be a factor in his decision, but not the ultimate one.

“It’s more so about me feeling like it’s home and having good people and players around me,” he said.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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