Warriors sign four transfers from Vermilion

FOREST CITY – Giovanni Johnson, LaMont Johnson, Devonta Jones and Khalil Walker are ready to continue their careers as teammates on the Waldorf College football team.

The four transfers from Vermilion Community College signed letters of intent with the Warriors in February.

"It's nice to get four guys who have been teammates," Waldorf coach Kent Anderson said.

Three of the four recruits served as team captains while playing at Vermilion.

"They're leaders and captains of their team," Anderson said. "You could tell in the recruiting process that they have a certain maturity about them and I really liked that."

Giovanni Johnson earned Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) All-Division Second Team honors with 39 tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown as a sophomore this past season. The 5-foot-9, 160-pound defensive back graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Philadelphia before continuing his career at Vermilion.

Walker, a two-year varsity starter at Abraham Lincoln, was a high school teammate of Giovanni Johnson. The Philadelphia native is a 5-foot-8, 160-pound wide receiver and was named to Philadelphia's All-Public Team in 2012. He finished his sophomore year at Vermilion with 288 receiving yards and two TDs. As a kick returner for the Ironmen, Walker averaged 20.8 yards.

LaMont Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound wide receiver out of Livonia Churchill High School in Livonia, Mich., also landed on the MCAC All-Division Second Team during his final year at Vermilion. He caught 25 passes for 349 yards and four TDs.

Jones garnered MCAC All-Division honorable mention recognition last season, recording 27 tackles, three sacks and a fumble recovery. With a 6-foot-3, 330-pound frame, the Flint, Mich. native and Hamady High School graduate is expected to play to contribute as a defensive lineman at Waldorf.

Vermilion turned in a 4-4 record in 2014 and placed third in the MCAC's Northern Division with a 2-3 conference mark. The Ironmen ended the season in the MCAC playoff quarterfinals.

Vermilion competes in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). The college is located in Ely, Minn., which has a population of 3,400 residents. Ely is approximately six hours north of Forest City.

"They understand the Upper Midwest, small-town atmosphere," Anderson said. "They understand the climate and culture. They're talented and they're going to bring us leadership."

Video Highlights of the four Waldorf recruits can be viewed at the following links:

• Giovanni Johnson: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4324376/giovanni-johnson
• LaMont Johnson: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4324382/lamont-johnson
• Devonta Jones: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4324403/devonta-jones
• Khalil Walker: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4324377/khalil-duke-walker