Two Greenwood High School offensive linemen are gaining ground in college football recruiting circles.
The Bulldogs’ twin towers — Kwatravious Johnson and Christian Henderson — have opened eyes at camps in the last couple of months.
Johnson is a 6-foot-7, 345-pound left tackle who committed to Mississippi State last December but has seen his recruiting stock rise since then. He was unranked by recruiting services last year but is now a three-star prospect who holds offers from Alabama and LSU.
Johnson said the recent offers from SEC powerhouse teams haven’t changed his thoughts on Mississippi State.
“I am a Bulldog. That’s it,” he said.
Henderson, a 6-5, 288-pound tackle, has commited to Louisiana Tech.
Greenwood head coach Clinton Gatewood is excited about having these two big guys paving the way for his offense in the fall.
“We are incredibly blessed to have these two guys leading an experienced offensive line that we have high hopes for,” said the GHS coach. “These are big guys who can really play and move well.”
Johnson, nicknamed “Dolla Bill”, is rated as the nation’s No. 44 offensive tackle and the state’s No. 9 overall prospect by 247Sports. Steve Robertson, co-publisher of Gene’spage.com and MSU affiliate for Scout.com, said the GHS standout is by far the No. 1 offensive tackle recruit in the state.
Johnson’s size stands out, but it’s his quickness that sets him apart from other massive linemen.
“I’ll match him up speed-wise against anyone who is as big as he is,” Gatewood said.
“It’s difficult to find guys that big who can move like Dolla Bill,” Robertson said. “He is still raw, but the sky is the limit for this kid. If he wants, all he has to do is go get it.”
Johnson posted a 5.3-second time in the 40-yard dash last week at MSU’s linemen camp.
Johnson played his first season of MHSAA football after playing 8-man football previously at Delta Streets Academy.
GHS coach Clinton Gatewood said the big guy had no problems with the transition as he averaged three pancake-blocks per game — paving the way for a 1,900-yard rusher in Rico Owens.
Johnson said it was good to be back in Starvkille for the camp. He said he looks forward to eventually joining the team and former GHS standout Marquiss Spencer, an outside linebacker/defensive end for MSU.
“(MSU offensive line coach John Hevesy) put me through a tough workout,” he said of the camp. “I do feel like I did good in the drills he taught me. I know when I come to college that I have to work hard for Coach Hevesy. And you got to work hard to get to the next level and work hard in school. That is what Coach Hevesy is teaching me.”
Johnson’s teammate Henderson also made a good impression at the MSU camp, according to Robertson.
“He is a little more refined in his skill set than (Johnson). He is an intellegent kid who is ver coachable as evidenced by the way he got better and better as the camp went on,” said the recruiting analyst.
Henderson is not yet ranked by Scout.com, but Robertson expects that change before or during the 2017 season.
According to Henderson, Hevesy was impressed with what he saw from the talented lineman.
“He liked my footwork, and I think my strength,” said Henderson.
Henderson and Johnson aren’t the only Greenwood players drawing interest from Division I schools. Senior defensive lineman Jalen Bedell (6-2, 290) is committed to Southern Miss. He also holds offers from Memphis and Louisiana Lafeyette.
nContact Bill Burrus at 581-7237 or bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com. Follow on Twitter:@Bill_Burrus.
