Gary Johnson, junior college linebacker from Dodge City Community College in Kansas, committed to Alabama in May. He will visit Tuscaloosa this week.

"I come home on Wednesday," Johnson said. "I plan on going over to Alabama on Friday. I am pretty excited about the visit. I haven't been over there since my freshman year. I'm looking forward to spending time with the coaches and meeting some of the players. I am excited about it all."

Johnson spoke with Alabama head coach Nick Saban last week.

"I spoke to Coach Saban on FaceTime last Thursday," he said. "He told me I play a lot like C.J. Mosley. He talked to me a little bit about my role when I get there. He said I can make a huge impact on their defense.

"He basically told me I am going to play the money-backer position. I can come off the edge and rush the passer. I can cover outside receiver. He said I can play all over the place. He wants me to chase down mobile quarterbacks."

Johnson is keeping in regular contact with other Alabama coaches.

"Coach Napier came out here two weeks ago," he said. "It was pretty awesome to have him here. He is a pretty cool guy. I talk to Coach Napier or Coach Pruitt pretty often.

"I talk to Coach Napier almost every other day. I talk to Coach Pruitt every now and then. They are saying they love me down there. They can't wait to get me there. They talk about what I'll play when I get there and the different schemes I'll be in."

The Crimson Tide will have to fight off several other top programs to keep Johnson on board.

"I am all about Alabama," he said. "At the same time I am going to check out other programs just in case something happens. Arizona State, LSU, TCU and Ohio State have been out here.

"I hear from Ohio State, LSU, Ole Miss, Baylor and Georgia regularly. Arizona State contacts me every day. I will check out LSU, Georgia, of course Alabama. I will also try to get to Ohio State."