Utah gymnastics coach Tom Farden was brutally honest.
Less than a month ago, sitting on the floor of the currently-under-construction Dumke Center at the University of Utah, Farden talked recruiting and he didn’t mince words.
“I don’t recruit from a distance,” he said. “That isn’t my style. When I go recruiting, it is game on. We have to beat Florida, Oklahoma, UCLA, Georgia, Alabama and LSU for all the talent on this team. I have to. I don’t have a choice, or I don’t get those kids.”
Farden’s manic recruiting style has paid off once again.
On Monday, 5-star recruit Zoe Johnson announced on Instagram that she has committed to Utah, becoming the Red Rocks’ first commitment for the 2024 class.
“I am beyond excited to announce that I have verbally committed to the University of Utah on a full athletic scholarship!” Johnson wrote. “I want to thank my family, teammates, friends, and coaches for always supporting me in this journey! I am so grateful for this opportunity and cannot wait to be apart of the Utah family! GO UTES!! 🙌🏼”
Rated the No. 7 overall prospect in 2024 by College Gym News, Johnson’s commitment means Utah joins Oklahoma, Florida, Cal, Auburn, LSU and Michigan as the only NCAA programs that currently have a commitment from a 5-star prospect for 2024.
A native of Durham, North Carolina — she competes at Sonshine Gymnastics as a Level 10 gymnast — Johnson will join Utah’s program in the fall of 2024 and begin competition as a Red Rock starting in 2025.
Highlight video of Johnson can be found at her YouTube channel.