South Carolina adds linebacker out of Virginia to 2024 recruiting class

South Carolina is heading up the Eastern seaboard again for its latest commitment.

Three-star linebacker Fred Johnson announced his pledge to USC on Saturday. The Virginia product is rated the No. 33 linebacker in the 2024 class, per the 247Sports Composite and chose South Carolina over Power Five offers from Virginia Tech, Rutgers, Duke.

Johnson is the second linebacker in the class along with four-star Georgia product Wendell Gregory (No. 139 player, No. 28 linebacker), who committed to USC in January.

As a junior, Johnson played a mix of edge, linebacker and receiver while helping Maury High School to a 10-2 record and runner-up finish in 5A — the second-highest classification in Virginia.

Johnson spent last weekend in Columbia on an official visit, earning his offer just a week earlier on June 2. He also took an unofficial visit to Rutgers in April.

South Carolina is in the process of revamping its linebacker room following the graduations of sixth-year seniors Brad Johnson and Sherrod Greene. Debo Williams and Stone Blanton are expected to shoulder the load this fall, while 2023 signee Grayson “Pup” Howard could also factor into the equation.

South Carolina 2024 football recruits

July 2, 2022: QB Dante Reno — Windsor, Conn.

Jan. 22: OT Kam Pringle — Dorchester, SC

Jan. 24: TE Michael Smith — Savannah, GA

Jan. 27: LB Wendell Gregory — Marietta, GA

Feb. 3: WR Mazeo Bennett — Greenville, SC

March 31: OL Blake Franks — Greenville, SC

April 14: OL Josiah Thompson — Dillon, SC

April 19: DB Kelvin Hunter — Florence, SC

April 19: CB Braydon Lee — Upper Marlboro, MD

June 12: P Mason Love — Riverside, MO

June 17: Fred Johnson — Norfolk, VA