Michigan Football needs a commitment from 4-star Theo Johnson

One of Michigan football’s top recruiting targets in 2020, Theo Johnson, has announced that he will make his college decision Monday.

Since the Michigan football program isn’t playing on championship Saturday, the Wolverines attention is back on the recruiting trail and this week, they will hear from one of the top targets left in 2020.

For the most part, Michigan football has done most of its work for the 2020 class but with the early signing period approaching, it would be nice if the Wolverines could finish strong.

Michigan is hosting two key visitors over the weekend in four-star quarterback CJ Stroud and also four-star defensive back Darion Green-Warren. Stroud could fill the void left by four-star JD Johnston, who was forced to medically retire from football, but Stroud is expected to choose Ohio State.

While those recruits are visiting, another will be making his decision on Monday and that’s four-star tight end, Theo Johnson.

Johnson has been deciding between Michigan football, Penn State, Georgia and Iowa, and most experts believe the battle is down to the Wolverines and Nittany Lions. Here is the assessment made by Steve Lorenz of The Michigan Insider ($):

"“Michigan, to my knowledge, has not gone in-home yet. Neither has Penn State. I would be surprised still if it was not one of those two programs. I’d be even more surprised if he committed to Iowa or Georgia without hosting either of PSU or Michigan at some point.”"

While Georgia and Iowa seemed like more of a threat earlier this fall, eventually, it felt like things changed. Michigan and Penn State seem to be the two teams battling it out for Johnson and down the stretch, they have taken different approaches. This also isn’t the first time Johnson announced he was making a decision, only to change his mind.

Lorenz talks about how Penn State has tried to push Johnson towards committing as opposed to the Wolverines, who have been more “hands off” as he puts it.

The fact that Johnson visited for the Ohio State game could be important and the fact that the Ontario prospect, who’s ranked in the top 100 overall and is the No. 4 tight end, is also very close to Ann Arbor, which could be important with his family.

Right now, the crystal balls on 247 sports are giving Penn State a 60-40 edge, but it truly feels like a 50/50 prospect. If Michigan is able to land Johnson, it would be a huge addition for 2020, not only because of what he can bring but also just the positive momentum that would come with it.

Johnson is 6-foot-6 and he runs like a wide receiver. The 250-pounder is the ideal move tight end and with Sean McKeon and Nick Eubanks leaving, he could certainly help fill a void.

The Wolverines also need more playmakers. If Nico Collins, Donovan Peoples-Jones or Tarik Black returns, it won’t be as big of a concern. However, if each of those three guys goes to the NFL draft, a player like Johnson is much-needed, especially in the red zone.

Michigan has been trending in the right direction and trying to press all the right buttons. On Monday, we will find out if it worked. It’d be a great sign for recruiting if it did.