Buddy Pough lured two Gause football standouts to the University of South Carolina earlier this decade. Now he's raiding the family tree once again. Conway offensive lineman Erskine Johnson said he plans to commit on Wednesday to S.C. State, which is coached by former USC assistant Pough, ending a recruitment that drew the attention of a multitude of Football Championship Subdivision schools.
Johnson is the sixth player from his own family to advance into the college ranks this decade. That includes cousins Andrea and George Gause, who were recruited by Pough when he was with the Gamecocks.
Multiple media outlets previously reported that Johnson committed to the Bulldogs after his official visit last weekend, but he said he hasn't pledged his services to anybody yet. Of course, that all changes
today.
``They've got a good football team,'' said Johnson, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound North-South All-Star. ``I really liked it. I will still be in state and it's not too far from home.''
Some schools were recruiting Johnson as a defender, but he will play offensive guard for the Bulldogs, who will let him wear his high school number of 71.
``Some schools wanted me to play defense, but I haven't played defense in awhile,'' Johnon said. ``I might as well stick to something I know I'm good at.''
Johnson teamed with tackles Tim Fowler, a Shrine Bowler and Presbyterian commit, and Cody Hayes to form one of the area's best offensive lines that helped tailback Seth Moreland rush for 1,376 yards.
