NJ defensive end Ron Johnson considers USC among top schools

Class of 2016 defensive end Ron Johnson (6-4, 230) of Camden, N.J., is one of the top prospects in the Garden State but a visit to the Palmetto State in his sophomore year has him highly interested in n USC.

“They keep in touch and show me a lot of love,” Johnson said. “They will always be on my top schools list. They are saying they can turn me into the player I want to be and maybe play pro ball one day.”

Johnson visited Michigan three weeks ago and the Wolverines are also strong with him. He also cited Rutgers, Penn State, Ole Miss, North Carolina, Alabama and Miami as other programs that are high on his list at this point.

“They are all showing me a lot of interest and are keeping up with me,” he said.

Coaches from Penn State, Auburn, Pittsburgh, Rutgers and Temple have been in to see him, and Miami is coming in Friday. Johnson said he plans to visit Alabama, Auburn and Ole Miss “real soon,” and he will also get back to USC at some point.

Johnson said he doesn’t have favorites right now but he plans to release a top 12 soon.

Last season Johnson had 84 tackles with 10 sacks.

This story was originally published April 24, 2015 at 10:29 AM with the headline "NJ defensive end Ron Johnson considers USC among top schools."