Georgia received a football commitment from the nation's top junior college prospect Thursday night when Independence (Kansas) Community College defensive end Jermaine Johnson gave the Bulldogs a nonbinding pledge.
The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Johnson, whose hometown is Eden Prairie, Minnesota, visited Athens last week. He took trips earlier this summer to Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M, Oregon and Colorado.
"1,000% COMMITTED. Go Dawgs," Johnson posted on Twitter.
Last season at Independence, Johnson racked up 58 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, eight sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Johnson is the 17th commitment for Georgia's 2019 class, which has surpassed Alabama for the top spot in the 247Sports.com team rankings. Georgia's average commitment rating of 94.57 ranks No. 1 nationally as well, topping the Crimson Tide's 93.08 average.
The Bulldogs not only now have the nation's top junior college prospect but 10 commitments ranked among the top 150 on the high school front. Defensive end commitment Nolan Smith of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, is the nation's No. 2 prospect in the 247Sports composite rankings, while receiver commitment Jadon Haselwood of Cedar Grove High in Ellenwood, Georgia, is ranked No. 3.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.