STRecruiting: South Carolina is one of the early movers with heavily offered 2028 DE Darias Johnson of Raleigh

2028 DE Darias Johnson (6-4 230) of Raleigh has emerged as a national-level prospect at his position based on his offer list. South Carolina is one of the programs in the mix.

Defensive ends coach Deion Barnes worked with Johnson one-on-one in camp in June, and the offer followed. The two have been getting tighter and tighter ever since.

“My relationship with the Gamecocks has been very firm,” Johnson said. “Me and Coach Barnes, we got a private workout in. That was good to do. I really like South Carolina. It’s a good spot. I like what they’re doing with the D-line. Obviously, Dylan Stewart. They’ve got a lot of good guys. So yeah, I like South Carolina a lot. I came in for a camp and got a workout in with Coach Barnes. I met the DC, Clayton White. Him and my head coach have a good relationship. They played at NC State together.”

Johnson said during that private workout with Barnes, he was able to show off his skills and how he would fit the type of defensive end Barnes likes to develop.

“He likes my bend as a pass rusher, being able to dip under tackles,” Johnson said. “Physical hands. Speed off the ball. Quickness. Coachability too; very coachable player, and I work on that a lot, trying to stay coachable.”

Johnson has been making his plans for game visits this fall, and he plans to be back in Columbia next month when the Gamecocks play host to Mississippi State.

“I’d say it’s a little bit too soon for a top three or something like that, but they are one of my favorite schools for sure,” Johnson said. “Tennessee, Alabama, NC State. Anybody else? That’s about it. I have a top 11. Those are the ones that I like the most. I made that a couple of years ago.”

On that list are South Carolina, Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Virginia Tech. He has scheduled a game day visit to each of those schools this fall except Auburn.

Johnson estimated that last season he had around 60 tackles with 22 tackles for loss and five sacks.