Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE

With college football season rapidly approaching and members of the Texas Longhorns 2012 freshmen making their way to campus, Rant Sports is previewing the talented young class, introducing some of the key players to Longhorn football fans.

In today's edition, we introduce the incoming playmaker from Pflugerville, Daje Johnson.

Johnson, once a TCU Horn Frog commitment, was recruited by the Horns as an athlete who is able to play both sides of the ball, though many close to the program believe he will wind up on offense as one of the team's most explosive weapons and home run threats.

In fact, many see his role with the Longhorns as being comparable to that of the elusive (and yet somehow, surprisingly absent) D.J. Monroe.

His senior year in high school at Pflugerville-Hendrickson, Johnson ran for 2,178 yards on 249 carries (8.7 ypc), scoring 26 rushing touchdowns. He added 28 receptions for 496 yards and 6 receiving touchdowns.

The speedy athlete, who clocks a 4.34 forty, could be a huge weapon in the kicking game early on.

Over his last two years in high school, Johnson had 3 punt returns for touchdowns as well as 2 touchdowns off kickoffs.

With the Longhorns fairly stacked at running back, there is a chance that Mack Brown and company could try and redshirt Johnson, though it wouldn't be at all surprising to see Daje work his way on to the field as a freshman, possibly as an addition to the young receiving corps still looking for some answers.

Daje is yet another strong member of an extremely talented incoming group of freshman, possibly the most talented Mack Brown has brought into Austin. He should be fun to watch for the next few years.

Be sure to check out our previews of 5-star running back, Johnathan Gray, 5-star DT Malcom Brown, and 4-star LB Timothy Cole. Up next we will introduce you to Texas incoming receiver, Cayleb Jones.