On The Trail

          UA jersey tour: Tyron Johnson

          NEW ORLEANS -- Tyron Johnson remembers watching the Under Armour All-America Game in 2013 like it was yesterday, when No. 1 prospect Robert Nkemdiche dominated. Johnson thought to himself at the time that it would be amazing to play in the prestigious all-star game, but he also never dreamed he would actually get that chance.

          But Johnson’s dream has come true.

          Now a senior, Johnson is the nation’s 25th-ranked prospect and the second-best receiver. He’s got schools from coast-to-coast recruiting him, and Thursday he was officially recognized as an Under Armour All-American at a ceremony in front of his classmates, family, friends and teammates.

          “My first time watching the game, Robert Nkemdiche was the No. 1 player in the country,” Johnson, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound four-star prospect, said. “Boy, he was fun to watch. I plan on going into the game and doing a lot of big things like he did. I saw what he did, and I was like 'Man, I want to play in that game.' I never thought it would happen, but I worked hard and now I have the opportunity.”

          It’s an opportunity he plans on making the most out of.

          “My expectations are to do in Florida what I do in New Orleans,” Johnson said. “I'm great at working hard and doing my job making a big play on the field. When it's the fourth quarter and we need something big with only 1 second left in the game, I tell coach, 'Throw the ball to me.'

          “I also want to put my city on my back and show that I can be a great receiver on the national level. I want to show for everybody here in New Orleans that we have great football players.”

          Johnson said he’s looking forward to testing himself against the talented cornerbacks in the game, especially LSU commit Kevin Toliver II. Fans are looking forward to getting a clearer picture on when he’s going to pick a college. Last week, Johnson told ESPN.com that Auburn had passed Texas Tech as the top team on his list. He made an official visit to Texas Tech on Oct. 10, is slated to visit Auburn on Nov. 21 if his team isn’t still in the playoffs and hopes to also visit Oklahoma State before making a choice.

          “It's been very tough to stay focused on school and my team,” Johnson said. “When that phone rings all the time, people are like, 'You have to make a decision. You have to make a decision.' And in the back of my head, I know I have to make a decision, but I'm just not ready yet. I still want to focus on my team and my grades, too. It's really hard. I don't want to rush it.

          “I want to be 100 percent. I'm about 80 percent sure of what I want to do. I'm almost ready.”