Pendleton DE Johnson waiting for a night game at Williams-Brice

Defensive end Brad Johnson of Pendleton has been wanting to get to a night game at South Carolina and had penciled in last Saturday against Georgia for doing just that. Then Hurricane Matthew happened and the Gamecocks were forced to move the game to Sunday afternoon. Johnson wasn't able to make it so he will try to get to USC for a game later in the season.

This Saturday, Johnson and his mother are going to Knoxville for the Alabama-Tennessee game. He also saw the Vols when they played Virginia Tech at Bristol Motor Speedway. He's also been to Blacksburg to see the Hokies.

"He really wanted to go to USC because he had never been to a night game there," Pendleton coach Paul Sutherland said. "He definitely wants to go to a USC game."

One recruiter coming on strong with Johnson is John Chavis of Texas A&M and that could lead to an official visit to College Station. Mississippi State has also worked it's way into a position for a possible official visit.

Johnson had planned to set a visit to Notre Dame but the contact from the Irish has dropped off since the firing of his recruiter and defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder late last month. According to Sutherland, Johnson is looking at USC, Virginia Tech, Tennessee and Texas A&M for official visits unless he makes his decision before he gets around to making the visits.

Sutherland said USC's interest and recruiting effort with Johnson have not changed since the offer was extended.

"USC is in constant contact," he said. "He's a priority with them and that hasn't changed since the day Coach Muschamp hit town."

Sutherland said Johnson is playing well and leads his team in tackles for loss and sacks.