Tennessee football TE target Colton Johnson getting to know Vols staff
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Upperman junior tight end Colton Johnson’s recruitment hit another level when Tennessee football and Alabama extended him offers this spring.
Johnson, who is a shade over 6-foot-4 and weighs 230 pounds, said he’s still in the exploratory process with so many offers coming in quickly. But since Tennessee extended its offer March 4, Vols tight ends coach Alec Abeln and Johnson have gotten off to a good start in their relationship, Johnson said.
“I went (to Tennessee) for a game day at the start of the year, watched them play UAB. I’m going to go there again in the spring and tour it all,” Johnson said. “Coach Abeln is cool. It’s kind of a new relationship, but it’s a good relationship. We got to talking two or three weeks ago.”
Johnson, a three-star prospect, who is ranked No. 23 in the state, according to 247Sports Composite, can pinpoint exactly when the recent cascade of Power 4 schools got involved in his recruitment. He’s up to 45 offers, including Vanderbilt, Florida State, Ole Miss, Nebraska, North Carolina and Virginia Tech.
“I got a few during the (2025) season. But as soon as I posted my junior season tape is when it really kind of took off,” Johnson said. “Then during the contact period, they wanted to come and see me. Once my junior film got out there, (offers) started coming in.”
Johnson finished the 2025 TSSAA football season with 37 catches for 615 yards and four touchdowns. Upperman went 9-3, losing in the second round of the playoffs to eventual Class 4A state champion Alcoa. At linebacker, Johnson had 133 tackles and was named the Region 4-4A Defensive MVP.
Johnson was a TSWA All-State selection at linebacker, and a few schools have expressed interest in him playing both ways, he said. But he’s primarily a tight end target.
He showed his athleticism at last week’s TSSAA boys basketball state tournament run with Upperman. Johnson, a bruising forward, averaged 10 points and 6.5 rebounds in two games.
Johnson is believed to be just the second player in Upperman history to receive an FBS offer.
“It’s been fun. Its’ a good experience for me and my family and my friends,” Johnson said. “I think it’s brought a lot of good attention (to Upperman). People have realized we’re better than they thought. I like that it’s bringing attention to the school more than anything.”
What Alabama football 2027 target Colton Johnson said about ‘Bama
Alabama and coach Kalen DeBoer offered Johnson on March 3.
“(Tight ends) Coach (Richard) Owens at ‘Bama, we talk often. That’s a good relationship there too,” Johnson said. “Right now, I’m going to hit some spring visits and build some relationships and see where that goes. I plan on committing sometime in the summer.”
Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform,@tpalmateer83.
He also contributes to The Tennessean’s high school sports newsletter, The Bootleg.Subscribe to The Bootleg here.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee football, Alabama among suitors for 2027 TE Colton Johnson
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos