Gamecocks land safety transfer

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South Carolina added immediate help to its 2015 secondary Sunday when Kansas safety transfer Isaiah Johnson announced his intentions to play his final year of eligibility at South Carolina.

"First and foremost, it's obviously in the SEC, that's a big thing," Johnson said previously. "And just having Steve Spurrier as your head coach, that's big too. I know how big he is in the college coaching world. It's cool, because my little brother was being recruited during his high school career, so I used to go there on some unofficial visits with him. I know Columbia and know about the school."

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Johnson will arrive in Columbia this summer and will be eligible to play immediately in 2015, provided he graduates from Kansas this spring as planned.

"Everything from being close to home to having the right people and fit around me to become successful," played a part in the decision, Johnson said.

Johnson announced his intentions to transfer from Kansas last month and received his release to look at other schools. Johnson, who was recruited by special teams coach Joe Robinson, took an official visit to South Carolina this weekend. He was also considering Louisville and Wake Forest.

Johnson, who is originally from Cary, N.C., arrived at Kansas in 2013 via Iowa Western C.C., and started all 24 games the past two seasons at strong safety for the Jayhawks. In 2013, he was named the Big 12's Defensive Newcomer of the Year.

Johnson totaled 148 tackles, six interceptions and seven pass breakups in two seasons.

Johnson is scheduled to graduate from Kansas on May 17.