Brad Johnson takes detailed look at South Carolina

Pendleton (S.C.) three-star defensive end Brad Johnson has been a top priority for South Carolina since Will Muschamp took over.

As the day until National Signing Day tick down, Johnson took his much-anticipated official visit to get an in-depth look at the Gamecocks' program.

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"I've been up to USC a couple of times, so this was a trip that I was trying to look for the little small things," Johnson said. "One of those things was I talked to Coach (Mike Peterson) and he kind of laid out the scheme for me and how I would physically fit in the defense. He showed me film and where I would be. He showed me the freshmen that were playing this year like D.J. (Wonnum) and the senior that was leaving and basically he was telling me how there's going to be an opportunity for me."

The position Johnson is referring to is the Gamecocks hybrid defensive end/linebacker BUCK position.

"I think it fits me perfectly with the skillset I think I have," Johnson said. "With me being able to rush the passer and being mobile all around the field and not just staying on the defensive line but moving around on the field. I think that fits me good."

Johnson and South Carolina's other official visitors had breakfast Sunday at Muschamp's house when he got a final pitch from the head man before leaving.

"That definitely means something to me that as soon as Coach Muschamp got the job, he made me a priority to the school," Johnson said. "That definitely stands out and means something from then until now."

Johnson, who still plans to take an official visit to Tennessee on Jan. 20, says that South Carolina and Virginia Tech are tied at the top.

"There's certain things that distinguish the two," Johnson said. "There's differences and similarities, but I think they're both right there with it."

"(The visit) opened up a lot of things in my mind and really just helped me to compare the two -- in-state or out-of-state type deal," Johnson added. "I've got some decisions to make and some choices to think about."

Johnson hopes to make a decision after his Tennessee official, but it could go to National Signing Day.

Johnson is ranked the No. 27 weakside defensive end in the country and the No. 6 prospect in the state of South Carolina's 2017 class by Rivals.com.