[LeeCoUKFan]

Indiana athlete likes Kentucky, Ohio schools

Justin Rowland
Special to CatsIllustrated.com

Lonnie Johnson is one of the most highly-regarded prospects in Indiana and the near four-star prospect has put together a nice offer list. He has a few favorites in mind.

Kentucky has always been near the top of Johnson's list. At least since Mark Stoops and Kentucky's new coaching staff arrived.

Vince Marrow may primarily recruit in Ohio but he's also doing serious work in other states, including Indiana. Marrow is one reason Johnson has some serious interest in the Wildcats.

"I talk to Coach Marrow and I talk to basically the whole staff," Johnson said. "I'm trying to visit as soon as possible. I'm going to try to get there in the spring but I might have to go in the summer. I'm not sure yet but I've been talking to them a lot.

"They told me I'm one of their biggest priorities and they're telling me I'll be a big-time player there at Kentucky. I would have a chance to start as a true freshman. They're just telling me that Kentucky would be the best place for me to go. They sling the ball around and that's a plus for them."

The 6-foot-3, 180-pound prospect, ranked the No. 36 athlete in the nation, is likely a wide receiver at the college level. He claims offers from Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Cincinnati, Nebraska and Ohio State, but just three of those schools are at the front of his mind.

Kentucky is one of them.

"Kentucky has been moving up since they started talking to me. They've moved up a lot. I've got a whole lot of interest in Kentucky. I've got three (favorites) so far. Kentucky, Cincinnati and O-State," Johnson said.

"O-State" refers to the Buckeyes, who have been recruiting Johnson for quite some time. When Cats Illustrated caught up with Johnson back in February he listed Kentucky and Ohio State as his co-favorites, but he said that he expected the Wildcats to take the lead "one (he) finds out a little more about Kentucky."

The next big step for Johnson will be taking a visit to Lexington. That will have to wait a little while.

Johnson is planning to visit Ohio State on Friday and then Indiana on April 13, the date of the Kentucky spring game.

"If I could get down to Kentucky that would be sweet. I'm thinking I'm going to visit Cincinnati soon since I'll already be in Ohio, I might as well make it over there as well. It's not that far from Ohio State," he said.

Johnson said he would like to make an early decision but he wants to take at least some of his official visits so he will be waiting at least a few more months.

http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1493001