Recruiting: Ex-Ohio State cornerback JK Johnson to transfer to LSU
The LSU Tigers were busy this past weekend bolstering their secondary through the portal.
Jakailin “JK” Johnson, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound conrrback out of Ohio State, will join the program. He becomes the second former Buckeyes corner to transfer to LSU in as many offseasons, joining Sevyn Banks who arrived last April. Johnson has three years of eligibility remaining.
The Tigers also reeled in former Syracuse cornerback Duce Chestnut this weekend. Both players will compete for starting jobs immediately.
Johnson, who entered the transfer portal just five days ago, played in 13 games this season but did not receive any snaps against Georgia in the Peach Bowl. He started five games in 2022.
LSU secondary coach Robert Steeples was Johnson’s high school coach at De Smet Jesuit in St. Louis, Mo. The 2021 signee was the top ranked player out of St. Louis.
It was thought that Johnson would have a reasonable chance to earn a starting role in the secondary for the Buckeyes in ’23.
Johnson ran the 200-meters plus the 4X100 and 4X200 relays at De Smet.
Possessing a good frame with outstanding length plus explosive speed (4.45), Johnsons is very physical in open space. He will come downhill and deliver big hits. Able to play man or zone, his strength may lie more as a man cover corner.
Johnson has drawn comparisons to former Buckeyes star Jeff Okudah, the Detroit Lions first round pick (3rd overall) in the 2020 NFL Draft.
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Rene Nadeau
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Born and raised in the New Orleans area, Rene Nadeau has been involved in sports ever since his earliest memories. Rene played basketball, wrestled, ran track, and was an All-District running back in football at John F. Kennedy High School. He went on to play football at LSU, developing a passion for the game in even greater fashion while in…
