Why freshman linebacker Fred Johnson is drawing high praise from USC teammates

True freshman Fred Johnson is getting rave reviews from his teammates ahead of his sophomore campaign next season.

“He is going to be off the charts as long as he continues to grow and truly learn and absorb, truly be a sponge, like he has in our (linebacker) room,” senior Demetrius Knight Jr. said.

With the Gamecocks’ linebacker corps set to undergo a major shakeup after this season, Johnson might be the next man up for Clayton White’s defense. His rare blend of size, speed and pass-rush prowess looks tailor-made for what the Gamecocks need in the middle of their defense.

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound linebacker saw most of his action this son special teams. Other than that, Johnson didn’t play much. He recorded five tackles, three of which were solo, in his limited action on defense.

But his teammates say he’s already putting on a show behind the scenes.`

“He’s a dude that a lot of fans haven’t really seen, but in practice, he’s made some crazy plays,” safety Nick Emmanwori said. “So I can’t wait for him to show what he can do next year.”

Even before he stepped on campus, Johnson was turning heads. During a South Carolina camp session in June 2023, he clocked 40-yard dash times in the 4.5s and hit 4.2s in shuttle drills. For a linebacker of his size, that kind of athleticism is like spotting a Ferrari in a pickup truck rally.

In addition to his physical tools, his teammates speak highly of his ability to process the game so early in his collegiate career.

“I love how he’s able to grasp the playbook so fast. I’ve never really seen a freshman be able to do that,” linebacker Debo Williams said. “Me personally, I wasn’t even able to do it that good. So I expect nothing but the best from him.”

With seniors Knight, Williams and Bam Martin-Scott set to exhaust their eligibility this season, the linebacker room is primed for a youth movement. Depending on how the Gamecocks fare in the transfer portal — the Gamecocks signed linebacker Shawn Murphy from Florida State — Johnson could find himself stepping into a starting role and also growing into a leadership position.

“He’s not the most outspoken, but then again, he doesn’t really have to speak because he got guys like me, Debo and Bam in the room that really rally the guys and bring people along,” Knight said. “But as he transitions into that leadership role, I believe that he can go through the ceiling with potential and truly his leadership.

“I believe this team will be following him the next few months here because of what he can do on the field, most definitely, but also off the field as he continues to open up a little bit more.”

Johnson signed with the Gamecocks as part of South Carolina’s 2024 recruiting class. He was an under-the-radar recruit from Virginia but was a four-star prospect after he committed to USC.

Now, the Gamecocks believe the sky is the limit for the young linebacker.

“I just think he has so much growth — I think his ceiling is so high,” defensive tackle Alex Huntley said. “I can’t wait to see him next year, even a couple years, what his final form will be because I know it’ll be something very special.”