Jericho Johnson Breaks Down Oregon Commitment, What's Next

"Just like the coaches and how hard they recruited me and them telling me just the potential they see in me," he said. "Them wanting to just coach me and basically help me unlock my full potential and play at the best level I can. 

"Especially wanting to play for a defensive head coach who had like five first-rounders on the same defense. Definitely wanted to play for a guy under that and then Coach Tosh and some of the names he's got under his belt, the guys he's coached, I know that they both specialize in D-line."

Johnson saw the need he could help fill along the defensive line and the potential for development.

"They're losing like four or five guys at my position, so there's a need there. So they were like not only do we need you, but we see you as somebody we can depend on to hold it down and dominate in the trenches."

The 6-foot-2, 350-pound linemen is joining arguably the best defensive line haul in the country which also features Aydin Breland and fellow Adidas All-American Xadavien Sims among others. He's not shying away from the competition.

"It's definitely a great opportunity that I'm excited for. To be around these guys and not only to compete against them, but to help each other get better and also to be teammates and just build each other up, learn from each other. Really the possibilities are endless, so I think it's a great thing. 

Johnson developed relationships with a lot of the Oregon staff, but they weren't only focused on him during that process.

"Coach Tosh, Coach Tuioti, Coach Lanning, I have a great relationship with them," he said. "They have a great relationship with my family, so that was another thing that really stood out to me. It was not only do they want to build a relationship with me but my family. So I think that's real important because it's not only am I going to be a part of their family, but they're going to be a part of my family."

There aren't a lot of defensive linemen that fit Johnson's mold out West, but there is one player he likes to model his game after.

"Really Aaron Donald (Los Angeles Rams) to be honest because that dude---he's like the best of the best, dominant in the trenches. I've really focused on watching his game and I'll watch Quinnen Williams (New York Jets) and a couple other dudes, but Aaron Donald is one of those guys I've looked up to for years and definitely want to mimic my game after cause he's arguably one of the best defensive players of all time. Not just D-line, but just destruction, being dominant on defense."

Johnson is a talented player in his own right, but he also shared some more about himself as a person and what he wants fans to know.

"I just want them to know I'm a God-fearing man. I fear God. God is on my side and that's all I want to be. I'm just a vessel that he's using and football is just a platform for me to be able to express that."

Aside from making his impact on the field, he has one other big priority once he enrolls.

"I'm really good with community, I love community, so as soon as I touch down in Eugene I definitely want to get invested in the community for sure. With camps, with whatever it is, I want to help the community because that's what I do back home."

Johnson is excited to get his college career started in Eugene next week and thinks the Ducks are capable of capturing the program's first ever national championship.

"Ready to get started and definitely watch out for us, because we're coming. This class we got is a special class. We're a young class, a lot of guys are enrolling early too.

"And that's what they already are, a winning team. So it's only a matter of time before we start winning national championships. I think we're going to get it next year. I think we're for sure going to win the natty next year. We're definitely a team guys need to look out for though."