Johnson, cornerback Trevard Lindley and defensive end Jeremy Jarmon - all juniors - each requested an evaluation about their draft status. Kentucky head coach Rich Brooks said he expected all three to get their information this week and then make their decisions.
Kentucky linebackers coach Chuck Smith was on the road recruiting Wednesday and had not talked to Johnson. However, he was excited when the information Johnson posted was conveyed to him.
"I've not talked to him. I know he was talking to coach (Rich) Brooks and was going to make his decision," Smith said. "But that sure sounds like good news for us. Actually, it's great news."
That's because UK loses outside linebackers Braxton Kelley, a four-year starter, and Johnny Williams, a two-year starter, to graduation. Having Johnson, a three-year starter, back at middle linebacker to anchor the defense gives Smith and the Cats a needed building block for next year.
Can be a role model
"He can be a guy that can show the young guys the ropes. They can learn a lot from him not only on the field but off the field if he becomes that leader I am hoping he will become," Smith said.
"He has the potential to be good leader. He has that special charisma and players look to him. He has a chance to be a really good leader. His return will be great so our young linebackers can learn from him because he has taken his game to another level."
Johnson had six tackles in the Liberty Bowl win and had a fumble return for a touchdown wiped out by a replay call. Still, he finished the season with 93 tackles, including 12.5 for loss, and now has 180 career tackles in 36 games, including 14 starts.
Smith said he had not spent much time talking to Johnson about the future because the focus was on the season and then the bowl game against East Carolina. However, he's not surprised Johnson wants to be more than a third round pick.
"When you make a decision like that, you have got to talk to your parents and do what is best for you and your future. Micah is a real competitor," Smith said. "He probably wants to be a first round rather than a third round pick.
"He will work out and work hard. He loves the weight room. He has become a good linebacker as far as understanding defense and knowing what he is supposed to do. With the graduation of two senior linebackers, it will help us a lot to have him coming back. He can help other guys understand and know where to fit in. It will be big asset."
While there's nothing official about Johnson's Facebook post, Smith says Johnson is not prone to saying one thing and then doing another.
"He's a great kid and knows what he's saying. When he tells you something, he means it. If he put that out there for everybody to see, then I can say you can pretty well count on that being exactly right," Smith said.
