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Chandler, AZ.- Rising offensive lineman Tyler Johnstone recently returned from a big visit back east. He accompanied some friends on a big trip back to Tennessee. While back there he decided to visit the University and give it a quick look. The brief tour was eye opening to say the least and Tennessee appears to have helped it’s cause by taking some time to show him around.
“My girlfriend’s dad has family there. So I went back with them to help him move back there. That’s why we went back there. I got a chance to meet coach Terry Joseph and coach Chuck Smith on the visit. It went really good. We started off watching workouts, then we toured the office area, and then checked out the weight rooms. I swear every school gets a new weight room every year, Tennessee is getting a new addition next year. I saw the student athlete academic center and it was pretty nice. I got a brief glimpse of Neyland stadium, since it was under construction I couldn’t see it all, but it was massive.”
The process has just started for Johnstone and Tennessee. The staff will need to review his film before deciding to offer or not. Johnstone left his tape with the coaches while on the tour. Before he traveled back east he stopped at USC and participated at their Rising Stars camp. His performance was solid at worst.
“I feel like I did an amazing job at rising stars. I don’t like to brag but I just felt like I did really good. All the coaches there said I looked good at the camp. Coach Cregg said I was the best offensive lineman there. He told me he wants me to have an offer. I held my own against the top defensive lineman there like Greg Townsend and those guys. The coaches said if I was graduating early I’d already have an offer. They said I would get an offer, it was just a matter of when. I’m getting pretty close to narrowing down my list to 3 or 5 schools.”
Johnstone holds over a dozen offers and claims that LSU has started showing some new interest among others.
Oregon has also offered and remains high on his board at this time, possibly even holding the top spot.
ESPN Scouts Inc Evaluation:
Johnstone is very athletic and quick coming off the ball. Has the height for the offensive tackle position at the major level of competition; but must add weight to his frame over time. Demonstrates accurate long and short snapping ability. Shows very good flexibility, balance and agility; comes off the ball low and hard from a three point stance; flashes good explosion initial fit and pad level when drive blocking; lacks great playing strength at this stage of his development however his blocking base and leg drive allow him to sustain and get movement when drive blocking. This player exhibits the initial quickness to block active 1st and 2nd level defenders; can get a hat on linebackers with good finishing results, showing the ability to play on his feet in space. Demonstrates the ability to reach and gain leverage on shaded defenders; is quick out of his stance when asked to pull / and trap, showing good balance and agility in the open field. We see this player capable of making all the necessary run blocks at the next level of play. Displays good quick set ability; can slide and bend but needs to improve his initial punch, location and extension. Needs to improve his base as he tends to drop his head and lean in; his nimble feet, long arms and quick hands will be assets. The extra effort downfield along with his aggressive tough finishing attitude is what we like to see from offensive linemen. Johnstone may need some time and perhaps a red shirt year to grow physically and refine his techniques; once this is accomplished he should have a long and productive career at the BCS level of play.
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The Big Orange will probably offer and I hope he signs, because we need all the help we can get along the line of scrimage!
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