April 16, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University basketball program announced the signing of point guard Kaylin Johnson to a national letter-of-intent Wednesday as the Bulldogs' coaching staff completed its 2008-09 recruiting class.

Johnson, a 6-foot guard from Baton Rouge, La., will join 6-foot-6 Jeffrey Merritt and 6-foot-7 John Peterson in Samford's highly-touted 2008-09 recruiting class. Both Merritt and Peterson signed in November during the early signing period.

Johnson signed with Samford on Wednesday after completing a standout career at Parkview Baptist High School.

He was a 2008 Second-Team 3A All-State performer and led PBHS to the 2007-08 District 8-3A championship. During his senior campaign, Johnson averaged 17.4 points, five rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.4 steals per game. He also torched the nets with a 40 percent shooting mark from 3-point range.

Johnson, who recently ran a time of 10.98 in the 100-meter dash, earned District 8-3A Defensive Most Valuable Player honors as a junior and received honorable mention academic all-state accolades in 2008.

"We are thrilled to have Kaylin join our program," said Samford head coach Jimmy Tillette. "He comes from a very successful high school program and will fit in well here at Samford. Kaylin is a true point guard who is completely comfortable running a team."

A natural leader both on and off the court, Johnson captained Parkview Baptist to a 20-15 record and a thrilling upset of top-seeded St. Louis Catholic High School in the second round of the 2008 Louisiana State playoffs. He also led the team to a 27-9 mark in 2006-07 and a state quarterfinal appearance in 2005-06.

Johnson's Parkview Baptist team has earned three-straight District 8-3A championships.

"What makes Kaylin so special in our eyes is that he shoots the ball as well as he handles the ball," Tillette said. "He possesses both athleticism and skill, and he will provide added quickness and depth to our backcourt."

Wednesday's signing of Johnson concludes Samford's highly-touted 2008-09 recruiting class. The three incoming freshmen will add to an already talent-laden team consisting of five players with significant experience in the starting lineup.

Guards Josh Bedwell and Josh Davis both started regularly for the Bulldogs in 2007-08 as true freshmen, and Trey Montgomery and Bryan Friday will also return to the starting lineup. Samford will also receive a boost from two-year starter Curtis West, who is expected to be back in the starting lineup after being forced to redshirt this season with an injured shoulder.

2008-09 Samford Basketball Signees

Name, Pos., Ht., Hometown (High School)
Kaylin Johnson, PG, 6-0, 165, Baton Rouge, La. (Parkview Baptist High School)
Jeffrey Merritt, G, 6-6, 175, Oklahoma City, Okla. (Bishop McGuinness High School)
John Peterson, F, 6-7, 180, Boca Raton, Fla. (Boca Raton High School)