Louisiana Tech landed its first known 2027 commitment Sunday from one of the most productive and versatile athletes in the state’s rising senior class.
Madison Prep star Landon “Manu” Johnson, a three-phase standout projected most heavily as a defensive back, announced his decision as an exclamation mark a visit to Ruston for the Bulldogs’ junior-day recruiting event.
“It just felt like home,” he said. “The coaching staff was real and straight forward about everything, and a great relationship with the safeties coach, coach (Dexter McCoil Sr.), really helped out my commitment. I want to get on the field early.”
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound athlete is the No. 23 overall prospect and No. 5 defensive back in Louisiana vs. All Y’all’s 2027 class rankings, which were most recently updated in September.
Even within the secondary, some programs have viewed him more at cornerback, while others, including Louisiana Tech, have eyed him as safety.
“They want a playmaker at safety,” Johnson said of the plan in Ruston.
And his performance thus far in high school would suggest that’s exactly what the Bulldogs should be getting.
Johnson intercepted three passes this fall as a junior, including two pick-sixes, and also tallied nine pass breakups, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Additionally, he racked up more than 3,000 all-purpose yards, including 33 touchdowns on offense and another four scores on punt returns.
His performance earned All-District 6-3A Offensive MVP honors and selections to the LSWA Class 3A all-state team as a return specialist and All-Louisiana vs. All Y’all small schools team as a defensive athlete.
“They all want dogs, and that’s what I am, so recruit Manu, I guess,” Johnson laughed with Louisiana vs. All Y’all about his message to coaches recruiting the state. “They’ll get an athlete, a slept-on athlete who’s gonna ball out whenever and wherever.”
Vanderbilt kicked off his recruiting process last April with his first offer, followed by Baylor and Tulsa during that spring. And Old Dominion, UNLV, Rice, Louisiana Tech and McNeese State all followed during a second wave of options during the past two months.
Johnson is excited to kick off the Bulldogs’ 2027 class and said he looks forward to helping recruit his peers to join him.
“I feel good about being No. 1,” he said. “Starting things early with coach (Sonny) Cumbie will be great. Guys are already trying to get on board. It’s a great place to go straight out of high school. My message will be: ‘This is a great opportunity. Come be a dog!'”
