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Vanderbilt football gets second Brentwood Academy commitment in 2 days

Michael Murphy
The Tennessean
Brentwood Academy wide receiver Camron Johnson

Brentwood Academy multi-sport star Camron Johnson committed to play football at Vanderbilt on Friday afternoon, becoming the second Eagles senior to pledge with the Commodores in as many days.

Johnson, who announced his decision via Twitter less than 24 hours after teammate Gavin Schoenwald did so in similar fashion, marks the eighth commitment of Vanderbilt’s recruiting class.

“We didn’t have this planned at all to be honest,” said Johnson, a 2016-17 Tennessean Male Athlete of the Year finalist. “(Vanderbilt) had always been a school I was interested in — they were close to home, they were one of the first schools to offer me and all that — but I wasn’t as impressed with them until this past season, seeing some of the successes that they had.

"Talking to the coaches and knowing that I believed what they had to say, that’s when it really took off for me.”

Johnson, a four-star prospect and the nation’s 47th-ranked wide receiver according to 247Sports, picked the Commodores over offers from Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss and Tennessee, among others.

“You’re hoping your kids look at things with good perspective and take all things into account, and I think for both (Schoenwald and Johnson) that had a lot to do with it,” Brentwood Academy coach Cody White said. “They both are kind of national-caliber guys who I think now see themselves staying here long term, and I think there’s a lot of benefits to it, going to a place as respected academically as Vanderbilt is.”

A three-year starter, Johnson has made 127 career catches for 2,423 yards and 24 touchdowns, helping lead Brentwood Academy to back-to-back Division II-AA titles.

And while he’s projected to play wide receiver at Vanderbilt, Johnson, who’s managed to find the end zone 33 times — and in six different ways — has also established himself as one of the area’s most opportunistic high school defenders.  

Since being inserted into the secondary as a sophomore, the  two-time All-Midstate selection has hauled in eight interceptions, scooped up a pair of fumble recoveries and scored four defensive touchdowns.

“(Wide receivers coach Cortez) Hankton and I talked the last time I was up there, and he said I’d be playing some inside and some outside receiver — anything to get on the field,” said the 6-foot-1, 182-pound Johnson, who's also added three special teams scores. “I think they plan on getting me the ball in open space.”

Johnson also plays basketball and runs track for the Eagles.

Brentwood Academy's Camron Johnson also plays basketball and runs track the Eagles.

Reach Michael Murphy at mfmurphy@tennessean.com, 615-259-8026 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.