Gamecocks Announce Signing of Defensive Back Ethan Johnson

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina football team and head coach Shane Beamer announced the signing of defensive back Ethan Johnson on Saturday afternoon, a fifth-year senior who comes to the Gamecocks from Appalachian State.

Johnson, a 5-11, 195-pound defensive back from Huntersville, N.C., played in 47 games with 39 starts for the Mountaineers from 2022-25. He has 141 career tackles, 30 pass breakups, an interception, 5.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble while being a nominee for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy and the Campbell Trophy.

Johnson was an All-Sun Belt third team performer at App State in 2025, finishing the season with 13 pass breakups, 44 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss while recording an interception in the Birmingham Bowl against Georgia Southern. He was an All-Sun Belt second team honoree in 2023 with 56 tackles and 11 pass breakups. and was the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week after pulling down and interception with two pass breakups in a win over James Madison.

Johnson is immediately eligible and can begin practice with the team in its lead up to the 2026 season opener against Kent State on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 12:45 p.m. at Williams-Brice Stadium. The season-opener will be televised on SEC Network.

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