Tennessee Basketball: What Keon Johnson brings to the Vols

In-state four-star guard Keon Johnson committed to the Vols Tuesday afternoon as Rick Barnes continues recruiting hot streak.

Webb School’s Keon Johnson had his college choices down Tennessee and Ohio State. The No. 31 ranked prospect and the top-ranked player in Tennessee decided to stay in-state as he announced he was staying in-state to play for the Vols.

This is a huge get for Rick Barnes and the Vols as he continues to work hard on the recruiting trail. After having the 30th ranked recruiting class in 2019 Barnes kicks off the 2020 class in style with two four-star athletes who currently put him at fifth-best in the country.

Johnson decided to join the Vols at his church and to say it excited Vol fans throughout the state is an understatement. Barnes had a rough offseason, so getting these top tier players will keep him off the hot seat for now.

With the Vols getting Johnson it is the first time since 2013, Tennessee has gotten a commitment from the state’s top-ranked player. The last top-ranked player to join the Vols from the state of Tennessee was Robert Hubbs III.

Johnson also made the announcement on his Twitter for Vol fans to congratulate him online. Of course, Tennessee fans were stoked to get a commitment from the young man, and it’s well deserved.

https://twitter.com/iamkeonjohnson/status/1158879178617495552

Johnson offers a defensive presence similar to Admiral Schofield and Kyle Alexander. The good thing is he has a mixture of both players on the defensive side of the ball. He’s excellent by the rim and dominates when it comes to blocking shots and getting steals.

He also offers a wide range of shots on offense too. He can shoot the long-range jumper and also post up down low for an easy bucket in the paint. He’s one of the most versatile players Tennessee has had in recent years.

Johnson is an explosive player on both ends of the court and lets his defense control the pace of the game and turns turnovers into points on the other end.

For Barnes and the Vols to find a versatile player like Johnson can turn an average team into a tournament team. That’s huge for the Vols as they look for players to replace the production that Schofield and Grant Williams had last season.

Johnson, unfortunately, won’t be in Knoxville until next summer so they will have to find that production somewhere else for this season but with the good young players coming in from the 2019 class, I don’t think they will have too much trouble doing that.

Johnson is an elite player, and if he’s not a five-star recruit by the time he steps foot on campus next year, I would be surprised. He’s an extremely versatile player and will be able to contribute wherever the Vols need him to.