USC Football Recruiting: Keyshawn Johnson Jr. Commits to Nebraska

Keyshawn Johnson Jr. , son of USC legend Keyshawn Johnson, committed to Nebraska Wednesday morning, picking the Huskers over the Trojans and others.

Four-star wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson Jr. committed to Nebraska via a Bleacher Report video on Wednesday morning, citing his desire to make his own path despite growing up wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps.

“Before I commit I want to thank EVERYONE who has believed in me. I love everyone who has been in my corner since day one and I pray you guys accept where I go, wherever it is,” Johnson Jr. wrote on Twitter before making his announcement.

He chose the Huskers over USC, Ohio State, Clemson and Alabama.

The son of Keyshawn Johnson, the USC All-American and one of the greatest receivers to don the cardinal and gold, Johnson Jr. had been expected to end up continuing the family link at USC. Instead he plans to create a new tradition at another historic program.

Johnson posted on Twitters supporting his son’s choice saying, “Relationships and trust go a long way in making this decision.”

Of course, there is always the chance for Johnson Jr. to change his mind over the coming year. However, the Trojans just signed a class of five wide receivers in the 2016 recruiting cycle, making room for receivers in the 2017 class limited.

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Johnson Jr. is the No. 27 receiver in the country and the No. 26 player over all in California according to the 247Sports composite.

Perhaps an even greater question for USC surrounding Johnson Jr.’s decision to commit to Nebraska is what effect it will have on the Trojans’ pursuit of former teammate Darnay Holmes, a five-star cornerback from Calabasas who attended Nebraska’s Junior Day with Johnson Jr earlier this year.

As it stands, USC has four commits for the 2017 class including four-star running back Stephen Carr, four-star safety Bubba Bolden, four-star cornerback Thomas Graham and three-star receiver Marlon Williams.