Andalusia’s Johnson commits to Tide

Andalusia linebacker Nico Johnson, rated the No. 2 inside linebacker prospect in the nation by ESPN Scouts Inc., committed to Alabama on Wednesday night.

Johnson is ranked No. 24 on the ESPNU 150. He was the cover subject for the Dothan Eagle’s high school football preseason section.

Johnson called Tide head coach Nick Saban with his decision.

“He was pleased,” the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Johnson said when reached by telephone Wednesday night. “He sounded pretty happy, just glad I picked Alabama.”

Johnson said his mother’s recent illness likely sped up his decision.

“My mother had been real sick. She just got out of the hospital a day ago,” he said. “I’ve been thinking that I needed to be close to home, just in case something happened.”

Johnson said he’d considered LSU before making his decision. Other finalists, according to the Crimson Confidential web site, included Texas A&M, Auburn and Florida.

“Just playing for Alabama,” Johnson said when asked what was most exciting about his decision. “They played great Saturday night.”

Johnson gives the Crimson Tide 14 verbal commitments for 2009, according to Crimson Confidential.

He is the fourth in the ESPNU 150 — joining running back Trent Richardson of Pensacola, quarterback A.J. McCarron of Mobile and defensive tackle D.J. Fluker of Foley.