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Tyron Johnson, former five-star receiver transferring from LSU

By Patrick Schmidt

Oct 24, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Tyron Johnson (3) runs a catch in for a touchdown against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the third quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Tyron Johnson (3) runs a catch in for a touchdown against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the third quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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The LSU Tigers lost a former five-star recruit, three weeks before the start of the season.

The lead up to the season has been an interesting one for the LSU Tigers. The team is ranked fifth in the preseason coaches poll and have the Heisman favorite in running back Leonard Fournette, but Les Miles has to be getting tired with some of the off-field stuff surrounding his team.

Starting defensive lineman Christian Lacouture was injured and lost for the year, Fournette and a teammate were videotaped “slap boxing” by TMZ, and receiver Travin Dural admitted to gaining nearly 30 pounds because of his fondness for Popeyes.

Now, comes word that former five-star wide receiver and rising sophomore Tyron Johnson is electing to transfer out of the program for opportunities elsewhere. Johnson was the top recruit out of Louisiana two years ago, No. 5 wide receiver and the No. 27 overall recruit, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

He shared the following note on his personal twitter account.

According to Ross Dellenger of the Advocate, Johnson’s father said his son is transferring because he wanted to play in a “wide open offense.”

That’s not all that surprising considering the conservative playcalling of offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and the team’s consistent inability to develop quarterbacks. Granted, this is nothing new for Johnson who committed to LSU despite all of these same concerns.

Johnson didn’t make much of an impact as a freshman when he had nine receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns over the course four games, but he was a player with a high ceiling who could have made an impact this year.

LSU will be okay this season without him because Fournette is going to get another 300 carries and returning receivers Dural and Malachi Dupre and D.J. Clark will be able to keep defenses honest.

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However, it does leave a void for the 2017 season with LSU likely needing to replace the aforementioned receiver trio.

Johnson will have three years of eligibility remaining but he won’t be eligible to transfer to another SEC school per conference rules and if he transfers to another FBS program, he will have to sit out the season per NCAA transfer rules. If he’s looking for a wide open offense, teams like Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and others in the Big 12 make a lot of sense and it’s not too far from his Louisiana home.

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