Two weeks from opening day for the USC football team, head coach Shane Beamer has made a move to add another piece to the secondary. On Saturday afternoon, the Gamecocks announced the signing of free agent CB Ethan Johnson (5-11 195) who played four seasons at Appalachian State.
Because Johnson enrolled in 2022, he is eligible for a fifth year under the ruling out of Colorado. He can begin practicing with the Gamecocks immediately. That is, of course, unless the NCAA is successful in getting that ruling overturned. But for now at least, the Gamecocks are adding a veteran corner who was one of the better players at his position in the Sun Belt Conference.
The two-time All-Sun Belt Conference performer, who entered the transfer portal on Thursday, was one of 16 players granted a TRO against the NCAA in Louisiana on Wednesday, allowing them to return for the 2026 college football season with a fifth year of eligibility. The case’s court date is scheduled for Aug. 31 in Louisiana’s 19th Judicial District Court.
Johnson, who is originally from Huntersville, N.C., spent the last four seasons with App State. Across his four seasons with the Mountaineers, he accounted for 140 total tackles, including 99 solo stops. He had 26 passes defended and two interceptions, as well as a forced fumble.
Johnson attended Hough High in Cornelius, where the Gamecocks have a pair of defensive back commitments for the 2027 class in Josh Dobson and Devin Jones.
