South Pittsburg's Demetric Johnson

South Pittsburg all-state running back Demetric Johnson has committed to continue his football career at Murray State University.

Johnson, a Class 1A Mr. Football finalist, also was being recruited by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Middle Tennessee State, Samford and Tennessee Tech.

"I just feel like I have a special relationship with their staff," he said about MSU, a Kentucky member of the Ohio Valley Conference. "They've been recruiting me from early on, and we've built up a real good relationship. I know they care about more than just football with me."

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Johnson averaged 21.5 yards per touch this season, leading the Pirates in rushing with more than 1,800 yards (averaging 14.6 per carry) and receiving with more than 300 yards. He had a combined 36 touchdowns and intercepted five passes.

Johnson, who has been clocked at 4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash, is academically qualified and plans to major in pre-law.

"I think it's a real good situation for him because they like him as an athlete and have told him he could be a big part of their plans wherever he winds up playing," Pirates coach Vic Grider said. "He's the most versatile player I've coached, so he could play anything from running back, receiver to defensive back and be really good at any of those.

"It's a long way from home, so he'll have to adjust to that, but they've been recruiting him since very early in the process and really showed him they wanted him to be a part of their program."