James Johnson

2025: Johnson, who enrolled at USC in the spring of 2025 after graduating a semester early from high school, will compete for playing time at cornerback as a true freshman in 2025. HIGH SCHOOL: Johnson, a four-star recruit, was nationally ranked as a receiver, but will play defensive back at Troy. He was rated as the No. 44 player in the state of Georgia by ESPN, No. 72 by On3 and No 125 by 247Sports. He was touted as the No. 53 wide receiver in the nation by ESPN, No. 93 by On3 and No. 98 by 247Sports. As a senior in 2024, he recorded 45 receptions for 576 yards (12.8 avg.) and 4 TDs. He also notched 32 carries for 254 yards (7.9 avg.) and 4 TDs. Additionally, he threw a TD pass. On the defensive side of the ball, he recorded 57 tackles, including 5 for loss (with 1 sack), 5 PBUs, 3 forced fumbles, 1 INT and 1 fumble recovery. On special teams, he fielded 3 kickoff returns for 75 yards (25.0 avg.) with a long of 30 and 6 punt returns for 202 yards (33.7 avg.) with a long of 60. Prior to the season, he was named to the 2024 Touchdown Club of Atlanta Preseason All-State Team. As a junior in 2023, he recorded 35 catches for 672 yards (19.2 avg.) with 7 TDs. He also tallied 40 carries for 483 yards (12.1 avg.) and 18 TDs. Additionally, Johnson went 8-of-10 (.800) in passing for 277 yards and 4 TDs. Defensively, he recorded 49 tackles, including 1 for loss, 6 PBUs and 1 INT. On special teams, he had 9 kickoff returns for 279 yards (31.0 avg.) with a long of 50 and 6 punt returns for 249 yards (41.5 avg.) with a long of 96. He was selected as the 2023-2024 Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Region 5-8 All-State Offensive Player of the Year, the Georgia Region 6-5A 2023 Player of the Year and the 2023 Recruit Georgia Class 6A All-State Player of the Year Runner Up. He earned placement on the 2023 Touchdown Club of Atlanta All-State First Team. As a sophomore in 2022, he tallied 32 receptions for 633 yards ( 19.8 avg.) and 3 TDs. He collected 33 carries for 189 yards (5.7 avg.) and 7 TDs. He went 23-of-42 (.548) for 277 yards and 3 TDs. On the defensive side of the ball, he notched 6 tackles and 3 INTs. He was named a 2022 Recruit Georgia Class 6-A All-State Honorable Mention and earned placement on the 2022 Region 5-AAAAAA All-First Team. As a freshman in 2021, he collected 24 receptions for 268 yards (11.2 avg.) with 2 TDs. He had 3 carries for 36 yards (12.0 avg.) and went 5-of-8 (.625) for 59 yards and 1 TD. Johnson was also a track athlete competing in the 100, 200, 400, 300-meter hurdles and long jump. PERSONAL: He is majoring in Communication at USC.