Johnson has only been teammates with Gillins for a year, but the two have developed a close relationship. Gillins is looking to help bring the 6-foot-4, 240-pound linebacker to Madison with him next season.
"It would be cool if we could play for the same team," Johnson said. "He's been talking about that from the beginning. It would be really great. He told me I just have to get up there and see what it's really about."
Johnson will visit Tennessee the weekend November 23. Miami (FL) and Louisville have started to show late interest as well.
Along with the Volunteers, the Badgers make up Johnson's top two, although he's also giving one more school a hard look at the moment.
"I have an offer from UCF now too," he said. "That's close to home. I'm definitely going to take a look at their campus too. But Wisconsin and Tennessee are my two favorites right now."