Ex-UGA football signee commits to Texas Longhorns

Johnson committed to Texas over Marshall and Middle Tennessee State.

“I know he’s got some stuff that he has got to get straightened out academically but Texas is willing to wait on him to hopefully get it done,” Georgia Prep Sports Academy coach Mike Carson told the AJC.

“He has unlimited potential. He’s a big kid, and he runs well. He reminds me of (Carolina Panthers rookie) Kelvin Benjamin. Gilbert’s problems aren’t on the field because he’s definitely a very talented guy. He just has to get it together academically in order to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Johnson attended UGA’s Dawg Night prospect camp this past summer, but did not have the chance to sign again with the Bulldogs in this year’s class. UGA has commitments from at least five 2015 prospects who could play wide receiver.

“I think Georgia realized early on that it was going to be a tough road in terms of him becoming qualified there,” Carson said. “I think it was a situation where they just didn’t feel like he was going to be able to make it through admissions.

“He had a conversation with (UGA wide receivers coach Tony) Ball. I feel like he wanted the best for Gilbert. He just didn’t feel like he could get him into UGA. We talked some about junior colleges that would enable Gilbert to eventually get where he wanted to get. But then other opportunities opened up.”

Johnson never really got to show off his skills at prep school this season. He hurt his knee in preseason camp and missed the first four games. Then in his first game back, he re-aggravated the injury. His coach decided to shut down Johnson’s season so he could focus on academics and healing the knee.