Gamecocks veteran taking to new role after his position change
Throughout the offseason, it seemed as if Brad Johnson was set to take over a starting spot.
When he was last healthy, he was the No. 2 Buck pass rusher for South Carolina behind D.J. Wonnum, who is now with the Minnesota Vikings. But instead of stepping into that role, Johnson found himself working at a new position — strongside linebacker.
And as he spoke to the school’s sports information staff for a video on Tuesday, he’s taking to the role well.
“It’s kind of new,” Johnson said. “It’s got a lot of similarities with Buck. So a lot of the same type of pass coverage deals. I’m still rushing the quarterback. Just a little different. Got a little linebacker feel to it.”
That role, one that’s become less-used as the sport moves more toward three-receiver looks, was held by Sherrod Greene last season as it made a bit of a comeback in South Carolina’s scheme.
Johnson was once a four-star recruit who flashed at points in 2017 and 2018, filling in because of injuries in that latter season. He made 24 tackles with two and a half sacks in his last healthy season, but was limited to just four games last season.
As a redshirt junior, he sounded upbeat about the idea of getting an extra year from the NCAA, but he also sounded just happy to be back on the field.
“I’m feeling good,” Johnson said. “This is the first time in a good little minute where I’ve been completely healthy. Body is feeling good. My mind is right. I’ve got everything down technique-wise and scheme-wise, so now I can just let loose.
Lofty goals
Sophomore wide receiver Xavier Legette laid out his goals for the 2020 season in a video with the school’s sports information staff, and he’s not aiming low.
“I’m trying to have at least 900 receiving yards and catch at least 90 balls,” Legette said.
He made nine catches in a limited role last season, and those goals are certainly high. Only nine receivers at USC have ever surpassed 900 yards in a season, the last one being Pharoh Cooper in 2015. No player has ever reached 90 catches, with Alshon Jeffery holding the record at 88.
Still, Legette projects to be a big part of South Carolina’s receiver rotation, even if transfer Jalen Brooks gets the NCAA waiver that will allow him to play this year. The 6-foot, 210-pounder is in the top group in practice, when healthy, alongside Shi Smith and Brooks.
He ceded snaps early in camp to precocious freshman Rico Powers when he was hurt but has rallied and been part of an offense creating some explosive plays in practice.
“I had an ankle injury,” Legette said. “I’ve been down for a little minute. I came in. I was limited on reps, but it’s been going well so far.”
Burch impresses
Johnson has three years of work at the Buck position. Jordan Burch is just in Year 1.
But even though the veteran moved elsewhere in the lineup, the five-star freshman has his attention at that old spot.
“He’s got a lot of talent, man,” Johnson said. “He’s just got to learn some of the fundamentals and the techniques that goes along with playing college ball instead of high school ball, just noticing that difference.”
Practice tidbits:
▪ The team had some live work in practice Tuesday, according to Will Muschamp in a school release. That included red zone and short yardage on the goal line.
▪ South Carolina also spent a good bit of time on special teams, including some work late in practice to mimic the conditions of a late-game play for those units.
▪ In practice video the school released, walk-on former linebacker Sean McGonigal was getting some work with the starting unit at fullback in what appeared to be an inside run drill.
This story was originally published September 1, 2020 at 1:30 PM.
