Experienced OL from Eastern Michigan earns offer from Auburn
Hugh Freeze and staff are continuing to address its need for experienced offensive linemen by extending an offer to a three-year starter.
Marcellus Johnson, who has spent the last three seasons as Eastern Michigan’s starting left tackle, received an offer from Auburn over the weekend.
Signing day was kind to Auburn in the form of offensive linemen, as the Tigers were able to secure Bradyn Joiner, Clay Wedin, Connor Lew, Tyler Johnson, and Izavion Miller during the early signing period as well as Dillon Wade from the transfer portal. However, improving the offensive line is a dire need, and Freeze wishes to lay the foundation for his younger linemen by adding experience, which can be found in Johnson.
Johnson was the fourth-highest-graded blocker for Eastern Michigan last season with a grade of 71.6 according to Pro Football Focus, with his strong suit being pass blocking, which goes together with Freeze’s offensive philosophy.
Johnson tells Jeremy Werner of Illini Inquirer, a division of 247Sports, that he will take visits to programs that he is interested in between the dates of Jan. 4 and Jan. 8, although he has not stated publically his intent to visit Auburn during those dates.
“I plan on taking all of my visits from the 4th through the 8th, and I will make my decision while I am either on a visit or soon after,” Johnson said. “I will try to hit East Coast to West Coast first. But the biggest deciding factor for me is the O-line coach. I want to make sure I have a great connection with him.”
Since entering the portal, Johnson has received 18 offers, which include Colorado, Wisconsin, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Troy in addition to Auburn.
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