The mother of two-way Jesuit standout Travis Johnson told the Times on Tuesday she believes Missouri is her son's top choice following his de-commitment to the University of Miami.
A lifelong 'Canes fan, Johnson, projected as a tight end in college, reopened his recruitment Tuesday via Twitter by saying: "Decommitting from the University of Miami. Opening up my recruiting up (sic)."
Angela Hardy-Jones said her son's change of heart was mutual. Miami is facing looming NCAA sanctions in the wake of a rogue booster's claims he provided illegal benefits to dozens of 'Canes athletes and recruits for nearly a decade.
Additionally, Hardy-Jones said her recent attempts to reach two UM coaches instrumental in Johnson's recruiting have been futile.
"It was mutual," she said. "He saw the writing on the wall. He knew (potential NCAA punishment) was coming. Honestly, (the coaches) didn't even return my email. That's not good."
Hardy-Jones said she's expecting her son to make an official visit to Missouri after the NCAA's "dead period" for recruiting ends on Jan 3. He's slated to unofficially visit USF's campus Wednesday following a math final exam.
Deemed the nation's No. 3 tight end/H-back prospect by ESPN, Johnson's numbers dipped his senior year, when Jesuit was forced to resort to a run-oriented approach. He finished with 21 catches for 287 yards and two TDs.