Tennessee receiver ‘very interested’ in USC after offer

South Carolina missed out on wide receiver Dre Massey when he committed to Florida on Sunday, but the Gamecocks reacted quickly with an offer to receiver Nate Johnson (5-11, 175) of Thompson’s Station, Tenn.

And Johnson is strongly interested in the Gamecocks and plans to set an official visit when he meets Friday with recruiter Steve Spurrier Jr.

“I’m very interested,” he said. “It’s an out-of-state SEC offer. South Carolina is big time. I’m very interested and especially want to take my official visit. They watched my film and liked how I played and they offered because my skill set is good enough to play for them right now. That’s great route running, great hands and I also track the ball well.”

Johnson’s team plays for a state championship this week. This season he has 72 catches for 1,633 yards and 23 touchdowns.

“I run double moves, screens, down the field and jet sweeps,” he said.

Johnson once was committed to Purdue. He’s also talking to Vanderbilt, Northwestern, Miami and Tennessee. The Vols have not yet offered. He has set official visits to Miami for Jan. 16, Vanderbilt Jan. 23 and Northwestern Jan. 30.

He does not have a current favorite.