Johnson hopes early entrance leads to early playing time

By Matt Lincoln
News13 Sports Director
Published: July 4, 2008

Aynor product T.J. Johnson decided early he was going to be a Gamecock.  He enrolled in classes early at Columbia.  And now, he’s hoping that will lead to early playing time in the garnet and black.

Johnson is back in Aynor for the Independence Day holiday this weekend.  But left his hometown in the spring to start classes and start practicing with his new team.  Johnson is the only freshman offensive lineman to come to Columbia early.  The rest of the freshman didn’t arrive in Columbia until late this week.

The former Blue Jacket has all ready begun to pick up the plays and get in college shape.  He says the experience has been considerably different than high school - both in the classroom and out.  He’s taking one class (Sociology) and must meet with tutors every week.  Then on the practice field, the team works out four days a week.  He says the practices are intense - they aren’t long but there’s also no wasted time. 

Johnson says the freshmen workout with the upperclassmen and that’s helped him to feel more a part of the team as a whole.  The coaches have not told him whether they plan to redshirt him or not, but he’s hoping that with all the work that he’s putting in early, he will have convinced the staff that he can help the Gamecocks right away.

The 6’4”, 285 pound lineman had a 3.82 GPA at AHS.  He was the only player from the News13 viewing area to commit to South Carolina in 2008.