Fort Wayne North Side four-star recruit Brauntae Johnson announced his commitment to play for Notre Dame during a livestream broadcast for 247 Sports on Saturday, June 24, at Traction Athletic Performance in Fort Wayne, Ind. Johnson said he made his decision two weeks ago and is 100 percent committed to the Irish.
“It was really just the family vibe (Notre Dame) gave me,” Johnson said. “The priority they made me feel like I was, and just being close to home, close to my support system. It means more when it’s home.”
Johnson chose Notre Dame over Purdue and Tennessee, which were the other two of his Top 3 choices. Recruited to play free safety, Johnson is also a highly-rated wide receiver, has strong kick return capabilities and is a dynamic basketball player. He averaged 20+ points per game last season for the North Side Legends. Johnson joked about it but didn’t rule out the possibility of attempting to walk-on the basketball team and be a dual-sport threat.
“I can’t stop hoopin’ you know,” Johnson said with a smile. “So I’m gonna see if something can work. But if it doesn’t, I mean I’m definitely going the football route.”
Aside from wanting to be close to his family, Marcus Freeman factored heavily in Johnson’s decision to call South Bend home for the “next three to four years.”
“(Freeman is) just great guy, a sincere guy,” Johnson said. “He’s genuine. He wants the best for all of his players. He loves his players, and he’s a great guy for me to be around; a great mentor for me to be around to become the best human being I can become.”
Photos and story by Chad Ryan
