Cincinnati Bearcats Add JUCO Defensive Tackle Lyndon Johnson On National Signing Day

Not to be confused with America’s 36th president.

The Cincinnati Bearcats signed defensive tackle Lyndon Johnson on National Signing Day. The 6’5″, 275 lbs interior lineman hails from Holmes Community College in Goodman, Mississippi.

UC’s defensive tackles were underwhelming in 2014. The situation was so desperate that the coaches moved defensive end Brad Harrah, all 258 lbs of him, inside to play the hybrid DT/DE role. He wound up with more sacks (3.5) than Cincinnati’s other defensive tackles, Camaron Beard, Chris Burton, and Brandon Mitchell, combined (2.5).

Despite adding Sione Tongamoa, Hakeem Allonce, and Cortez Broughton in the offseason, the trio didn’t make a huge impact last season. Whether that was because of them coming up to speed with UC’s system or the coaches purposefully keeping the leash tight, I don’t know. Either way, the interior of Cincinnati’s defensive line struggled mightily last year.

So it seems the purpose of adding Johnson in the 2015 class is to provide further depth and competition at defensive tackle. His frame is already D1-ready but his chances of seeing the field next season will be determined on his ability to improve in the nuances of the game; hand positioning, leverage, bull and speed rush. I think Johnson can come in and provide a boost to the players around him at practice. However, it remains to be seen how much playing time he’ll get.

I’m optimistic, though, for whatever that’s worth. You can see several of his game highlights via HUDL here.