Dallas County High School senior tight end Mike Johnson may be committed to Georgia Tech, but LSU is a major part of his immediate plans.

Johnson, a 6-foot-7, 215-pounder, recently began a new workout ritual with the help of former Hornets teammate Matthu Travis, now a freshman walk-on defensive end with the LSU Tigers.

The three-day-a-week regimen, known as the LSU Freshman Workout, has Johnson in the gym on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, doing a variety of exercises. Johnson said he began the LSU

program after Travis reported that he had gained between 20 and 30 pounds of muscle in two to three months.

“That’s my buddy,” Johnson said of Travis. “He works hard at his job and he always wants to get better.”

Johnson said he currently is in his fourth week of the program. Although he said he wasn’t sure how much weight he has gained, he added that he hopes to bulk up to 250 pounds before graduation.

“I really don’t have a steady goal,” Johnson said, “but I don’t want to rush anything. I want to get bigger and stronger before I go over (to Georgia Tech).

“When I get to Georgia Tech,” Johnson added, “and get on a real program, the weight will really start to come on.”

Each workout has Johnson in the gym at 5 a.m., doing 10 exercises that include four sets of 10, eight, six and four repetitions.

Johnson’s Monday workout schedule includes curls, bench presses, squats, heavy clean lifts, weighted sit-ups, pull-ups, push-ups, side dumbbell raises, 135-pound barbell presses and various neck exercises.

On Wednesday, Johnson adds into the regimen front squats, incline bench, dumbbell bench presses, shoulder shrugs, hamstring curls and dead lifts. Saturday’s workout schedule includes a combination of the two previous days’ workouts.

“I want to keep working hard every day to get better,” he said. “I’m really enjoying it. You’re going to get out of it what you put into it. If you don’t work hard, you’re not going to get anything out of it.

“I’m into working for what I get,” Johnson added. “I want to work hard for everything.”

Johnson said he can currently squat a maximum weight of 475 pounds, power clean lift 275 pounds and bench press 295 pounds.

Johnson added that since Travis began the plan at LSU, he has increased his maximum squats weight from 500 to 600 pounds.

Hard work in the gym is just one aspect of the workout ritual. Johnson said he also has stopped drinking sodas and is instead consuming more water, juices and sports drinks such as Power-Aid.

Johnson also has been taking the herbal supplement Prime One for the past two years. He said the supplement has helped him burn fat and gain energy.

Johnson hasn’t gone through the program alone. He said Dallas County coach Rick Bush and defensive coordinator Eric Hiott have given him moral support. Johnson said there have been days when Bush has come to the gym to help him.

“Coach Bush is in there watching me, making sure I get my sets,” Johnson said. “At first, the coaches didn’t think I should do (the program). Coach Hiott suggested I try it. It’s worked so far.”

“Mike’s going to need to be stronger to compete at the next level,” Bush said. “I’ve made the commitment to help him.”

Others also have helped keep Johnson – and themselves – in shape. Johnson said he and a group of 20 youngsters, including a few prep football players, meet every week at Bloch Park to run pass routes and throw the football. Johnson said two of those players were Selma High wide receiver Robert Childers and Central Christian Academy quarterback Tee Woods.

When his program – and his senior year – are over, Johnson hopes his dedication and hard work in the gym and on the field will pay off when he officially is a member of the Ramblin’ Wreck.

“It’s going to help me, especially on my blocking,” Johnson said. “I want to be more of a complete player. You have to block for your teammates. You can’t get the ball all the time.”