Keyshawn Johnson Jr.'s Commitment to Nebraska Exactly the Spark Mike Riley Needs

You could almost hear the cheers—followed by sighs of relief—from the fans in Lincoln, Nebraska, minutes before 10 a.m. CT on Wednesday. They, as well as head coach Mike Riley and his Nebraska coaching staff, needed a jolt for the 2017 class.

Not only did they get one Wednesday morning, but they also got a wide receiver with a strong pedigree.

Keyshawn Johnson Jr. announced his verbal commitment via Bleacher Report video and became Nebraska's third overall pledge in the 2017 class. The son of the former USC and NFL All-Pro wide receiver also became the Cornhuskers' top overall commit as a 4-star prospect.

How big was that get for Nebraska? The last time the Huskers signed a 4-star receiver pledge was in 2012. Jordan Westerkamp was that player. That pickup worked out pretty well for the Huskers.

There are already schools with double-digit numbers in their 2017 class rosters. Nebraska needed this one—for quantity and quality reasons. Johnson, the No. 27 receiver in the 2017 class, chose Nebraska over schools like Ohio State, Alabama, Clemson and USC—his father's alma mater.

Representing Calabasas High School in Southern California, Johnson was a reliable receiving option during his junior season, catching 68 passes for 944 yards and six touchdowns. At 6'1" and 195 pounds, Johnson is a good-sized receiver who plays with a lot of confidence and minimal fear.

Sound familiar?

Credit: 247Sports.com

In many ways, Johnson will remind Nebraska fans of his father when he played at USC. Expect Johnson to continue to work hard and bring an infectious attitude to the locker room.

Johnson, who had 24 reported offers, will join Columbia, Missouri, 3-star receiver Jaevon McQuitty and West Palm Beach, Florida, 3-star linebacker Willie Hampton in the class. Johnson also will be called upon to be a recruiting leader.

It helps to know that he plays in the regular season and seven-on-seven football with stud athletes such as 5-star Darnay Holmes, the nation's No. 1-ranked cornerback, and 4-star Tristan Gebbia, the nation's No. 8 pro-style quarterback.

Wednesday's announcement could be the biggest news of the recruiting cycle for Nebraska. Look for Johnson to be as good as advertised.

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles