USC secured a verbal commitment from three-star wide receiver and athlete James Johnson on Friday. The athlete from Douglasville, Georgia, shared his decision via social media.
Standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing 181 pounds, Johnson becomes the 18th addition to USC’s 2025 recruiting class, emerging as one of its most captivating prospects.
WHO ELSE WAS IN THE MIX FOR JAMES JOHNSON.
Earlier this week, Johnson revealed his top five schools: LSU, Georgia, Ohio State, UCF, and USC. Before narrowing his options, he received a wide array of offers, including from Florida State, Ole Miss, Louisville, Texas, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Miami, among others.
WHERE JAMES JOHNSON FITS WITH USC.
USC has welcomed James Johnson, a versatile 6-foot athlete from Douglasville, Georgia, into their program. He is projected to play in the secondary, enhancing USC’s defensive lineup. Johnson’s commitment follows a competitive recruitment process, where he received offers from prestigious programs such as Ohio State, Georgia, and LSU. His addition strengthens USC’s 2025 recruiting class, which is currently ranked No. 14 nationally, with a strong emphasis on talent from the Southern states, particularly Georgia.
During his high school career, Johnson showcased his dual-threat capabilities by accumulating over 1,700 all-purpose yards and scoring 27 touchdowns. His versatility is highlighted by his ability to play multiple positions, including quarterback, receiver, and defensive back, making him a valuable asset for the Trojans. Johnson’s commitment reflects USC’s strategic focus on recruiting dynamic athletes from talent-rich areas, boosting their prospects for future seasons.
Johnson’s specific role at USC remains unclear at the moment, as the coaching staff appreciates his adaptability. They believe he possesses elite potential as a wide receiver, defensive back, and return specialist, which means he won’t be restricted to a single position when he arrives on campus.
Johnson’s versatility and impressive performance across multiple positions in high school have made him a highly sought-after recruit. Despite being a three-star prospect currently, his exceptional athleticism and production as a quarterback, running back, wide receiver, cornerback, safety, and return specialist are expected to earn him a ratings boost in the near future.
In his junior season alone, Johnson amassed 1,411 yards of total offense and scored 27 touchdowns while also contributing on defense in the secondary. His outstanding performance led to him being named the Class 6A preseason Offensive Player of the Year in north Georgia by Georgia High School Football Daily prior to his senior campaign.
James Johnson’s Recruit Rankings
247Sports Rankings
Three-star prospect
Ranked No. 145 among wide receivers
Ranked No. 102 in Georgia
247Sports Composite Rankings
Three-star prospect
Ranked No. 996 nationally
Ranked No. 153 among wide receivers
Ranked No. 109 in Georgia
USC’s Ongoing Recruitment in Georgia
Johnson is the fifth player from Georgia to join USC’s 2025 recruiting class. Other notable recruits from the Peach State include four-star quarterback Julian Lewis, four-star linebacker Jadon Perlotte, four-star safety Kendarius Reddick, and three-star cornerback Shamar Arnoux.
Currently, USC has more commitments from Georgia than from California, with four recruits from California in the 2025 class: four-star linebacker Matai Tagoa’i, four-star cornerback Trestin Castro, four-star defensive lineman Hayden Lowe, and three-star offensive lineman Elijah Vaikona.
Know your enemy: A detailed examination of the LSU Tigers.
Each week during the college football season, USCFootball.com will ask an expert about USC’s upcoming opponent. This week, the Trojans are set to face the LSU Tigers in Las Vegas, so we spoke with Glen West from Geaux247.com to discuss this matchup.
1. Brian Kelly addressed the difficulties of preparing for an opening game against a strong opponent. After suffering losses to Florida State in the first games of the last two seasons, what focus has been placed on getting the team ready to take on USC in Las Vegas?
The entire offseason has been geared towards these crucial moments. In his third year, LSU is eager to move past 9-3 regular seasons and aims to be a contender for the college football playoff in 2024. To achieve this, especially with the challenging SEC schedule they usually face, it’s essential to perform well in out-of-conference games. This matchup against USC could be considered the most significant game of the year.
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