JUCO OL Jocquell Johnson commits to MSU

On Wednesday Mississippi State landed its fourth commitment of the 2014 class. While Jocquell Johnson is a junior college guy(plays for Copiah Lincoln Community College), this is a prospect that has had the attention of Dan Mullen and company since high school. Johnson played on an offensive line in high school that included 2012 Ole Miss signees Justin Bell and Aaron Morris and 2014 prospect Rod Taylor(top player in Mississippi for 2014). Johnson was believed to be an MSU lean in high school and the Dawgs were very interested, but Johnson instead had to go the junior college route, but will now get his chance to suit up in maroon.

Johnson is a guy that has an ideal frame for one of the tackle positions at the next level as he stands at 6-6 300 pounds. In high school Johnson mostly played right tackle and has played left tackle for Co-Lin. MSU could use Johnson at either tackle spot and he will be much needed as an instant impact guy to fill depth along the offensive line. Johnson is ranked as a three star by scout.com. 247sports.com ranks him as a three star as well and has him as an 84 on a scale to 100 and the 30the best junior college player in the country. Rivals.com has yet to rank Johnson.

Johnson was also a participant in the MS/AL all star classic in high school and was one of the more impressive offensive lineman at the event.

My Take on Johnson:

I think it was important for MSU to get a JUCO OL or two in this class and there were two good ones in Mississippi(Avery Gennessy from Southaven now at East MS CC still available) this class. Johnson was clearly MSU's top target as far as JUCO OL goes and they locked him up early. I expect him to get a fourth star before it is all said and done and I feel that is an accurate reflection of his talent. I really like Johnson's frame. He has really become a strong lineman in junior college and an SEC weight room will do nothing but improve that area for him. I like his feat in pass protection, as they are very quick. He is a very effective drive blocker in the run game and run blocking is his strength. I think he will help MSU as he will be able to man either tackle spot in the 2014 season. This is a big pickup and possibly the most important commitment of the class to date. It's important to recruit offensive lineman each year and if you get one that can contribute immediately, it just makes that pickup even more valuable.