The LSU football coaching staff stopped at various high school campuses throughout the region during the first week of the 2010 spring evaluation period.The staff took a trip to Covington to get a close look at St. Paul’s High School defensive tackle Mickey Johnson.The 6-foot-1-inch, 310-pound prospect earned a spot on the 2011 ESPNU 150 watch list after finishing his junior season with 49 tackles and eight sacks. Rivals.com Southeast recruiting analyst Barton Simmons said Johnson should be a “no-brainer” four-star prospect when the Web site releases its initial 2011 rankings later this spring.Rivals.com LSU recruiting analyst Mike Scarborough said Johnson has the ability to become an every-down defensive lineman.”He sheds blocks real well, and he can stop the run,” Scarborough said. “I think he’s going to be a very good defensive tackle for somebody.”Johnson attracted the attention of many coaching staffs across the country after he earned defensive line MVP honors April 17 at the Baton Rouge Nike Football Training Camp.”Sept. 1 of last year Mississippi State offered me,” Johnson said. “Since then [the offers] have just been piling up.”He received a visit last week from LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis, defensive line coach Brick Haley and defensive backs coach Ron Cooper.Johnson said he was excited to have members of the LSU staff on his campus.”It was cool to see those guys there, and they spent a lot of time talking with my coaches,” Johnson said. “They are definitely putting in the work.”The LSU staff certainly has more work to do if it intends to land Johnson’s commitment. He said he has yet to determine a front-runner among the 21 schools that have extended scholarship offers to him.”I don’t have any favorites,” Johnson said. “I am just doing my research on the schools right now. I am looking at the atmosphere and community of the school. Distance isn’t a big thing.”But he also said there are many aspects of the LSU football program which he finds attractive.”The atmosphere and the academic program stood out to me and my family because there is always life after football,” Johnson said. “And the athletic facilities are state of the art.”Scarborough said LSU will face stiff competition in the race to capture Johnson’s commitment.”He’s got offers from some very good schools,” Scarborough said. “He’s not averse to leaving the state.”A number of Southeastern Conference schools, including defending national champion Alabama, are among that list.Johnson hasn’t set a timetable for his decision and plans to take all of his official visits. A student-athlete can take five official visits with all expenses paid by the prospective institutions, according to the NCAA recruiting regulations.”I could commit whenever,” Johnson said. “I will do it as soon as things are right. I don’t know when that will be.”Johnson, a powerlifting state champion who bench presses 450-pounds and squats 695-pounds, also said he will work to improve certain aspects of his play during his senior year.”I am working on my speed and how I use my hands,” Johnson said. “I am doing a lot of footwork drills, weights and running stadium steps.”Scarborough said some concerns exist about Johnson’s height as well as his ability as a pass rusher.”He needs to work on more moves and technique other than just bull rushing,” Scarborough said. “I guess we’ll find out at the next level how well he rushes the passer.”But Scarborough also said Johnson has the attitude and work ethic to alleviate such concerns.”He’s a hard worker, an honor student and I think he’s highly coachable,” Scarborough said. “I think he will learn.”—–Contact Cory Boudreaux at [email protected]