Ethan Johnson Joins South Carolina | South Carolina Gamecocks Football News

South Carolina just pulled off a last-minute defensive upgrade, snagging Ethan Johnson — a three-star recruit turned standout at Appalachian State — who’s now eligible for an extra year of play thanks to a federal court ruling. The decision, stemming from a lawsuit in Louisiana, grants athletes who began college in 2022-23 a fifth season under new NCAA eligibility rules. Johnson, with 140 tackles and 26 passes defended over four years, is headed to Columbia despite some players opting to transfer. Coach Beamer, familiar with App State’s pipeline, sees this as a smart move — and Johnson could be a game-changer for the Gamecocks’ secondary before the 2026 season even kicks off. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/01fbe6664c5680ad