Recruiting: 2021 tight end Jake Johnson commits to LSU

LSU has tapped into family ties with their latest commitment for the football recruiting class of 2022.

Tight end Jake Johnson‍ announced Thursday via Twitter that he has pledged to the Tigers. Johnson, a four star talent ranked at or near the top of the class nationally at his position, is the younger brother LSU quarterback Max Johnson.

Committed To LSU!!! #GeauxTigers 🐯 pic.twitter.com/JK5X0XOCI0

— Jake Johnson (@Jakejohnson2022) April 15, 2021

The Bogart (Ga.) Oconee County standout committed to LSU over Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Oklahoma. Johnson‍ represents the 12th pledge for LSU for the ’22 class. He is on pace to graduate in December and enroll at LSU for the 2022 spring semester.

The 6-foot-5, 230 pounder was also drawn to Baton Rouge by offensive coordinator Jake Peetz’s plans to utilize tight ends as receiving weapons.

Johnson‍ played offensive tackle early in his high school career, so his run blocking is solid. He is a great route runner who makes the tough catches, shows strong hands, cradles the ball securely and has great extension to pull down throws.

As a junior, he had 37 catches for 787 yards and 10 touchdowns in ’20 and 69 grabs for 845 yards with 14 scores the previous season. Johnson has averaged nearly 17 yards per catch during that period.

LSU’s depth chart is perhaps thinnest at the tight end position, making the highly-rated Johnson’s commitment even more valuable for the 2022 season and beyond.