Posted by JC Shurburtt
Imagine two of the top defensive linemen in the Southeast and the state of Florida playing side-by-side as true freshmen- at New Mexico. Don't laugh, there is at least a chance it could happen.
Under Armour All-American defensive end Corey Lemonier and defensive tackle Calvin Smith (Hialeah, Fla./Hialeah) recently returned from camping at New Mexico under first-year head coach Mike Locksley, who built a national reputation for recruiting and having an explosive offense under Ron Zook at Illinois.
A source close to both players says that the pair is interested in the Mountain West Conference program because there is a great opportunity to step in and play together as true freshmen and that they also were extremely impressed by their meeting with Locksley.
He added that they want to play at the same program and that Florida State, Alabama, Illinois, Ole Miss, Florida, Tennessee and others were also in the mix.
Now the Lobos don't necessarily lead, but it seems that they are more in the mix that most Mountain West schools located that far from Dade County, Fla., would be.
Johnson not quite a Tiger?
Under Armour All-American running back Storm Johnson (Buford, Ga./Buford) is not an official commitment to LSU yet, according to sources and to the ESPN affiliate site EyeontheTigers.com.
Johnson is expected to commit officially on July 11, during his next trip to Baton Rouge. He has been favoring LSU for some time and nola.com reported that he had given the Tigers coaching staff every indication he was going to play for LSU.
Quick hitters
• Under Armour All-American offensive lineman Torrian Wilson (Miami, Fla./Northwestern) told ESPN affiliate InsidetheU.com that his top five was Michigan, Miami, Stanford, Florida International and Alabama and he plans to make a commitment in August.
• LSU won't be the only SEC program getting good news on July 11. Georgia Military College defensive back Jakar Hamilton will pick Georgia or Alabama on that day. The younger brother of former Texas A&M running back Michael Goodson is expected to pick the Bulldogs.
JC Shurburtt
JC Shurburtt has been covering recruiting in not only the Southeast, but across the nation for nearly a decade. He can be reached at jcsespn@aol.com.
