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New FAU coach Lane Kiffin snags first recruit, former four-star FSU QB DeAndre Johnson

Lane Kiffin has been at Florida Atlantic just a few days and he’s already landed a four-star quarterbacking recruit.

Former Florida State quarterback De’Andre Johnson, who just finished a season with East Mississippi Community College, has agreed to become an Owl and enroll this January, according to multiple reports. He’ll have three years of eligibility remaining.

New FAU coach Lane Kiffin has already snagged his first recruit. (AP)
New FAU coach Lane Kiffin has already snagged his first recruit. (AP)

Johnson was a former Florida “Mr. Football” at Jacksonville First Coast and was hailed as a star recruit in the Seminoles 2015 class. However, he was dismissed from the program after video surfaced of him punching a female patron at a Tallahassee bar. The incident happened on June 24, 2015, and Florida state attorney Willie Meggs formally charged Johnson with misdemeanor battery on June 30.

Following the incident, Johnson’s attorney released a statement saying Johnson was “currently participating in community service, and faith-based programs focused on battered women, substance abuse, and the empowerment of children.” Johnson also appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America to apologize to the woman he struck.

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In 11 games with East Mississippi Community College, Johnson threw for 2,646 yards and 26 touchdowns with six interceptions.

Johnson’s younger brother Tyreke is a five-star defensive back for the Class of 2018 and has expressed interest in playing football with his brother. So, Kiffin may have laid the groundwork for some unprecedented recruiting at Florida Atlantic.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter!