Rivals interview with R100 QB, Jeremy Johnson (AU commit). Sorry, it includes him talking about different recruits but I didn't want to separate among those recruits due to cohesive nature of story.
"Auburn is where I was going to go anyway regardless of what visits I took. It's my role to speak out. I needed to speak out to recruits and let them know I'm here and this whole class could change the Auburn program. They need to see that and see a great quarterback on board. I wanted them to know they have someone they can trust."
Johnson took his official visit to Auburn on Jan. 11, but will return to Auburn on Feb. 1, the last weekend before signing day. His goal from now until signing day is simple: recruit.
Johnson's hard work is already paying off. Orlando (Fla.) Rivals100 four-star receiver Tony Stevens switched his commitment from Texas A&M to Auburn on Sunday during an official visit. Johnson and Stevens began forming a relationship at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and Johnson began pitching to Stevens the idea of an official visit then.
Johnson even traveled down to Auburn on Saturday night to spend time with Stevens. On Sunday, Stevens texted Johnson the good news.
"We started a good chemistry in San Antonio," said Johnson. "We met up Saturday and he said he really liked the atmosphere. I told him, 'you need to go ahead and come on, what are you waiting on?' He texted me Sunday and said he committed and I told him let's go win a national championship."
A primary target of Johnson's is Milton (Ga.) five-star Carl Lawson. The nation's top defensive end remains committed, but is taking visits. Lawson will be back in Auburn on Feb. 1, days before signing day. Johnson's message to Lawson centered around remaining pledged to his first love.
"I sent a long text message to Carl, I told him to stick with his initial commitment," Johnson said. "I told him we can't win a national championship without defense. I told him that he can make a big difference in what we are doing on defense. He replied, 'I got you.' We need Carl and Reuben (Foster) back."
Auburn (Ala.) five-star linebacker Reuben Foster announced on Monday that he would officially visit Auburn on Feb. 1. Johnson and Foster played together at the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic and competed against each other in Alabama's Class 6A this fall.
While others may doubt, Johnson believes Foster, the one-time Auburn commit, will re-join the Tigers' class in the end.
"When Coach (Gene) Chizik got fired, Reuben told me to be patient and everything would be good. Now I'm doing that with him," said Johnson. "We can change the program around -- he understands that. He's enjoying the process, but he's confused. I'm trying to get him on board -- I'm good with it, and as far as I know right now, he's Auburn."
Another Johnson target is Hermitage (Va.) Rivals100 five-star running back Derrick Green. The nation's No. 1 back will announce his decision on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT. Johnson spoke with Green previously, but began to build a relationship at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in early January. The pair have conversed on Twitter and spoken on the phone since. Green will choose between Michigan, Tennessee and Auburn.
Johnson appears more optimistic about Auburn's chances of landing Green than most.
"It may be shocking," Johnson said. "If we get Derrick, and I told him on Monday he needs to come on and commit, hopefully he commits and comes on board. I'm confident, when we were talking and I told him he needs commit, he said, 'we'll see Saturday.'"