One of the primary targets for South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer and secondary coach Torrian Gray is SAF KJ Johnson (6-2 175) of Birmingham. He made his second visit with the Gamecocks over the weekend. His first was in late March with the Gamecocks about a week into their spring practice.
“This visit was great, it was a better experience than the first one,” Johnson said. “The first one was a great visit, but this one I was able to sit down longer with the coaches. Even though Coach Beamer had a lot going on, he still gave me time, even though they had Ladies’ Day. I sat down with Coach Gray, went out to eat and talked to him a lot. I got to see the players scrimmage live. Great competitive coaches, love the players, it’s a great atmosphere. I just love South Carolina.”
Johnson is coming off a junior season of 76 tackles with nine tackles for loss and two interceptions. He can play all over in the secondary and that’s what of the primary reasons Gray is so high on him.
“He loves my work ethic, that I can tackle and that I’m a versatile DB, which means that I can play safety, nickel or corner, wherever he needs me,” Johnson said. “He loves my speed and that I’m a ballhawk.”
The Gamecocks have been in a good spot with Johnson throughout the recruiting process, and that remains the case coming out of this visit as he’s basically turned his focus to three SEC programs.
“South Carolina is top tier with Ole Miss and Mississippi State,” he said. “Top three, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and South Carolina. This Saturday I’m going to the Ole Miss spring game. And I have three officials right now; South Carolina, Ole Miss and Mississippi State.”
His official visit to South Carolina is set for May 30th. He will visit Mississippi State June 13th and Ole Miss the following week.
Johnson said he might wait until his birthday on August 3rd to commit, but it’s possible he could make his decision right after one of his official visits.
This spring Johnson has also visited Mississippi State,Ole Miss, Alabama and Florida. He also has offers from Texas Tech and West Virginia.