GoldandBlack.com: Boilers get FL safety

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (GoldandBlack.com) - As of late last week, Florida safety E.J. Johnson had narrowed his list of finalists down to two: Purdue and Michigan State.

Now, only one remains, as the 6-foot-1, 175-pound safety decided to make a verbal commitment Sunday night to the Boilermakers. A senior-to-be at Cocoa High School, Johnson also had offers from Indiana, Iowa State, East Carolina and Northern Illinois.

"I was looking at my offers," he said, "and there weren't any better ones. Purdue had a lot for me and was excited about having me. My family was excited about the offer too and was behind me 100-percent."

Johnson says the opportunity for early playing time at Purdue, which will have four seniors starting in the secondary this season, weighed heavily in his decision. He thinks he'll have an opportunity to contribute, perhaps significantly, as a true freshman in 2010.

"I want to come in and be a factor," said Johnson, who had eight interceptions as a junior, "(and) make a difference as a freshman."

As was the plan last week, Johnson says he'll take an official visit to Purdue for its opener vs. Toledo Sept. 5. But unlike his thoughts last week, he says he's no longer planning a trip to East Lansing to visit the Spartans, nor will he take any other officials.

"It's not concrete yet, but we're talking about going," he said of Purdue. "It's official that we're going, but we have to set it up (with flights, etc)."

Johnson says he's looking forward to seeing campus, though he's already seen parts online.

"I've done some research and like the campus," he said. "I want to see it and walk around, meet players."

Johnson becomes the eighth commitment for Danny Hope and Co. in the 2010 class, and second from the state of Florida. He's also the first defensive back, a position of obvious critical need in '10.

"They were really excited," he said of his notifying Purdue of his decision. "… Coach Hope told me last night he was going to go out and celebrate up in Chicago."