Netori Johnson to Alabama: Crimson Tide Land 4-Star OT Prospect

Netori Johnson, a 4-star offensive tackle prospect from Cedar Grove High School in Ellenwood, Georgia, announced Monday that he will play college football at Alabama.

Johnson tweeted the news himself, and AL.com's Wesley Sinor reported more of what Johnson had to say about his decision following his participation in the Crimson Tide's football camp:

"

I'm just happy and excited...I don't know what to do. I'm really excited. I love the environment and they're not far from my house. I love Coach [Nick] Saban and the offensive line coach. They don't bring me down, they build me up. I really love Bama. It's always been a school I always liked. I would love to play with them and be around with them, so that's why I ended up committing.

"

Scout.com's John Garcia Jr. described Monday's swift sequence of events leading to Johnson's commitment:

It's still early in the process of recruiting for the class of 2017, but Alabama head coach Nick Saban has to be thrilled to bring aboard such a big young man to insert into the trenches someday.

Listed at 6'5" and 330 pounds on 247Sports, whose composite rankings list him as the fifth-best guard prospect in the country, Johnson has size that can't be taught.

The Crimson Tide have thrived on a physical brand of football to dominate the SEC since Saban's arrival. Having a massive offensive line has been a critical part of that identity, and Johnson certainly fits the bill, showing a knack for getting after it as a run-blocker.

Exploding off the ball with surprising quickness for his size, he has a penchant for pancake blocks and can reach the second level in a hurry. Check out Johnson's highlights on Hudl.com for prime examples of his prowess in those areas.

Credit: 247Sports

Any offensive lineman prospect at this point in his career has work to do in terms of pass protection footwork, which Johnson can hone in on once he arrives in Tuscaloosa.

The implication of Johnson's standing in 247Sports' rankings is that he's athletic enough to make the transition to guard despite such a massive frame. This positional versatility makes him an even more attractive prospect.

Even though he doesn't have the coveted 5-star rating at the moment, there's still a chance Johnson can ascend to such status with a strong senior year at Cedar Grove. Having Saban's ringing endorsement alone at this early juncture in recruiting may be enough to elevate Johnson in talent evaluators' eyes.