Do Noles Have A Shot At Landing PJ ?

One of the areas that the Noles need to improve in is the secondary. Someone that could help in that area is 2008 recruit Patrick Johnson. PJ as he is called is a 6-1 corner from Pompano Beach, Florida. He is ranked as the number one corner in the nation this year. Do the Noles have a shot at landing him?

I'm about 90 percent solid right now," Johnson admits. "I'm still committed to Miami. I love Miami. It's a great city and I love all the support they have. Everybody loves them. I also like coach Randy Shannon.

Scouting services describe Johnson as a physcially dominant cornerback who has the prototypical size and excellent top-end and makeup speed to combine into an excellent defensive back prospect. He attacks routes with violence and yet still able to have a sense of awareness of the play. Moves well laterally and explodes out of his dig to the ball. Excellent range and can play well out of man and zone coverage.

Despite his almost 100% committment to Miami, sources are saying that the Noles still have a shot at landing him. In the past, four schools were said to be in the mix for landing the talented corner- Florida, Miami, LSU and Southern Cal. FSU did offer him a scholarship on December 14 and there are rumors that the Noles have a shot.

So who or what is the unknown factor in this? Two words- Nigel Bradham. Bradham is the five star linebacker that is a solid commitment to the Noles. Bradham and Johnson are roommates at the Army All-American Game. Bradham has been lobbying Johnson hard this week during practices for the game to become a Nole. He has told Johnson that he has a chance to play a lot given the loss of players for the Noles next year.

Bradham says that PJ is keeping everything close to the vest but feels that it will come down to UF and FSU. It is interesting that the official bowl site does not even list FSU as one of the schools that he is looking at for making a commit. Patrick Johnson will be making his decision on Saturday at the Army All-American Game. The bowl game can be seen on NBC at noon EST this Saturday.