DT Tayquon Johnson talks Rutgers offer
Newly hired Rutgers assistant coach Cory Robinson’s Maryland connections played a prominent role in the Scarlet Knights’ second Junior Day. Class of 2019 defensive tackle Tayquon Johnson is a perfect example.
The Williamsport (Md.) prospect participated in a number of events hosted by Next Level Nation, an athletic training organization founded by Robinson. That familiarity led to Robinson reaching out to Johnson on behalf of Rutgers and that culminated in a junior day visit.
“The whole reason why I came up to Rutgers was because of Cory Robinson,” Johnson said. “Coach Robinson and I have a very training and academic support focused relationship and out of respect, I believed he deserved my time to come up and support things they were doing and open my mind to the things they were doing .
“He was my first contact by Rutgers. He brought my name up in a meeting and they watched my film from there and liked what they saw and invited me up.”
The 6-foot-3, 275-pound Johnson was rewarded for his open-mindedness at the end of the visit.
“They invited me up to campus. I came up, took a look around, had my family up there,” Johnson said. “We liked what we saw. They pulled us into the coaching office, they talked about the three c’s that they have — culture, combat and core values. They sound like everything was planned out and they were going to offer me. I sat down, I learned as much as I could and after the junior day, they said ‘listen, we know how hard you’re working and we’d like to offer you a full-ride.' It was a proud moment for me. All I have to do is keep working and everything will work out.”
Johnson was particularly impressed with Rutgers' academic support and the plans to expand its resources with the building of the Rodkin Center for Academic Success.
“They talked about all the academic support they have to make sure their players are doing everything they need to do so they can stay academically eligible,” Johnson said. “It makes things a lot easier and it’s like you’re not on your own. You have people there to support you through your academic problems. If you struggling, you have someone to help you.”
With offers from Kentucky and Virginia, Johnson’s recruitment is just getting started. But for now, the 6-foot-3, 275 defensive tackle is putting his recruitment on hold as he focuses on his upcoming Maryland state wrestling tournament as well as finishing the last semester of his junior year.
When the time comes to select a school, what will that program get in Johnson?
“A very intelligent football player,” Johnson said. “I love to watch the game and just to learn from the game. You learn as things go on, it takes time to learn football. Over the course of maybe 14 years I’ve been playing football, there’s a lot to learn, not only in the football aspect, but also being a man.”