Avery Johnson, wide receiver from Blanche Ely in Pompano Beach, Florida and younger brother of former LSU Tiger Patrick Peterson, verbally committed to Les Miles and the Tigers, but maintains that it was a “soft” commitment.

Johnson is now planning to visit both University of Miami and Florida State University, with a trip to Tallahassee scheduled for this weekend for the Seminoles’ Spring Game.

According to an article published on ESPN.com by Corey Long, Johnson says he likes new FSU starting quarterback E.J. Manuel.

Johnson will be checking out Manuel and the passing game of the Seminoles this weekend, which will probably give Jimbo Fisher and Florida State a leg up in the recruiting race.

Johnson did not get an opportunity to make it to Baton Rouge for the Tigers’ Spring Game, which would have been beneficial as the Tigers showcased their 2012 starting quarterback Zach Mettenberger and a passing game that will give a young wide receiver like Johnson plenty of opportunities to get on the field.

A talented kid like Johnson is looking for one major thing in his choice of college and that is an opportunity to get on the field early and have a long and productive career that will propel him into the NFL, much like his brother.

While Florida State will probably be his last campus visit between now and the conclusion of the NFL draft in which his brother is expected to be selected very early, Johnson, according to Corey Long, is “going to be taking a lot of unofficials this summer.”

Hopefully, LSU will have Patrick Peterson as their No. 1 recruiter and can convince Johnson to stick with his verbal commitment.

If Johnson is half the athlete that his brother is, the Tigers will find plenty of use for him as a wide receiver and return specialist.

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