STRecruiting: Alabama cornerback KJ Johnson commits to South Carolina

South Carolina secondary coach Torrian Gray has picked up another tall cornerback prospect to develop for his secondary. KJ Johnson (6-2 175) of Birmingham, Monday morning, announced his commitment to the Gamecocks.

Johnson made his official visit to USC two weekends ago. He visited West Virginia over the weekend. He also had offers from Texas Tech, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Memphis, Southern Miss and others.

Johnson said after his official visit that what really caught his eye with the Gamecocks was Gray’s history of developing defensive backs and preparing them for the NFL.

“How many DBs he develops, sends players to the league from every school he’s been at.  He played in the NFL, coached in the NFL,” Johnson said. “Just a great resume in sending DBs to the league.  And Coach (Shane) Beamer, he has so much confidence in Coach Gray developing me, he’s 100 percent that I’ll definitely be developed and go to the NFL.”

Johnson said he could tell from doing his research on the Gamecocks that Gray had a knack for getting his guys to the next level

“He told me Nick (Emmanwori) barely played safety in high school.  He was more like a linebacker, and he just developed him,” Johnson said. “He told me has a couple of more DBs that’s going to be just like him.”

Johnson plays a lot of safety for Woodland High School in downtown Birmingham, but apparently that’s not what Gray has in mind for him.

“Coach Gray sees me more as a cornerback and nickel type,” Johnson said.  “He told me wherever he can just get me on the field more, but it’s basically going to be corner and nickel.”

Last season, Johnson totaled 76 tackles with nine tackles for loss and two interceptions

Johnson is the first cornerback commitment for the Gamecocks, and he’s their 8th commitment for the 2026 class.

2026 USC commitments

• Anthony Baxter                                     OT        6-3        335                   South Pointe
• Zyon Guiles                                           OT        6-5        290                   Carvers Bay
• Keenan Britt                                          LB        6-2        230                   Oxford, AL
• Jamel Howse                                        TE        6-4        210                   Newberry
• J’Zavien Currence                                  SAF      6-3        190                   South Pointe
• Aiden Harris                                          DT        6-3        250                   Weddington, NC
• Andrew Harris                                       DE       6-2       225                   Weddington, NC
• KJ Johnson                                           CB        6-2        175                   Birmingham