LSU added another 2026 wide receiver commitment Monday morning even amid fast-breaking uncertainty on who will coach the program or coordinate its offense beyond next month.
Tioga star Kervin Johnson Jr. announced his pledge to the Tigers, less than two days since reporting his offer from the home-state SEC program.
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound big-play pass-catcher and three-sport standout had previously committed in September to Louisiana Tech before the latest development in his largely under-the-radar recruiting process.
Johnson received the offer Saturday while visiting Baton Rouge for LSU’s home game against Texas A&M and shared the news with a picture of himself alongside coach Brian Kelly.
University officials moved Sunday to fire Kelly on the heels of an embarrassing 49-25 loss to the Aggies in which the Tigers allowed five straight second-half touchdowns.
LSU then additionally announced Monday morning that offensive coordinator Joe Sloan had been relieved of his duties with the program.
But the shakeup did not deter Johnson’s desire to lock into the opportunity to represent his home state in purple and gold at the next level.
He joins a talented recruiting class overall, including wide receivers Jabari Mack (Destrehan) and Kenny Darby (Airline) among the the bulk of the state’s top-ranked seniors currently set for college careers in Baton Rouge — though the group will be under the microscope amid the ongoing coaching change.
Johnson is among 18 current commitments, 12 of whom are in-state high school standouts that include University Lab two-way lineman Lamar Brown, Edna Karr defensive tackle Richard Anderson and safety Aiden Hall, offensive linemen Brysten Martinez (East Ascension) and Jalan Chapman (Warren Easton), current quarterbacks and future defensive back Dezyrian “Pook” Ellis (Franklin Parish) and Isaiah Washington (Haynesville), Acadiana defensive lineman Darryus McKinley and Parkview Baptist kicker Gavin Higgins.
