Former USC recruit Noel Johnson has decided to play for Clemson after reopening his recruitment when former Trojans coach Tim Floyd resigned. Johnson had committed to Floyd and USC before his senior season last year, but he started to rethink the commitment as Floyd was connected to rumors about the Arizona job, followed by allegations that Floyd paid a sports agency employee to steer O.J. Mayo to the Trojans. The final straw was Floyd’s resignation in June.
The Trojans’ loss has turned into Clemson’s gain. Johnson hails from Fayetteville, Ga., which is not far from Clemson. In addition, Johnson has an opportunity to earn significant minutes early in the season as a sweet-shooting guard. The Tigers need to replace the production of K.C. Rivers, who graduated in May, and sophomore Terrence Oglesby, who left to play professionally in Europe.
