“Athlete” can be an overused descriptor in the world of recruiting.
Being a multi-purpose player at the prep level doesn’t necessarily transition to having the option to play multiple roles in college, yet that perceived versatility is something that recruits value.
One prospect who the “athlete” designation certainly applies to is 2028 cornerback Kylen Johnson.
He is listed as a cornerback by us at 247Sports, and other recruiting outlets as well.
Yet the options to play cornerback OR wide receiver exist for Johnson, a four-star prospect out of Plainview High in Rainsville (Ala.). And that creates one of the more fascinating dilemmas you’ll see a prospect grapple with in the 2028 cycle.
“Some colleges want me at DB, some at wide receiver,” Johnson said. “I haven’t thought about it a lot, but I have thought about it, and wide receiver is what I want to play in college. But DBs make more money. That’s the decision, if you want to make more money or do what you want to do.
“I’ll see what that looks like this summer.”
So, which of Johnson’s top schools are looking at him as a defender? Which home-state program likes him as a receiver?
Get to know 2028 DB/WR Kylen Johnson…
WHY HE MATTERS
Johnson’s recruitment took off this spring after a sophomore campaign in which he amassed more than 1,500 rushing yards, 700 receiving yards, 85 tackles and nine interceptions en route to winning the 2A state title at Coosa Christian in Gadsden.
The dominant numbers led to a surge of offers in the spring, including from the likes of defending national champion Indiana as well as several SEC programs such as Ole Miss, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and in-state Alabama. Florida State and Miami offered as well.
And with the unique ability to legitimately project at either side of the ball depending on what a respective staff values or runs schematically, Johnson is one of the more fascinating recruits in his class.
RECRUITING PULSE
Johnson had five schools really standing out in terms of communication exiting the open communication window from the summer: Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Indiana, and Louisville.
He shared his thoughts on each program with 247Sports late last month.
