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Transfer Profile: 5 things to know about Oregon’s new safety Tysheem Johnson

Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks scored yet another major win in the transfer portal world on Wednesday, landing a commitment from former Ole Miss Rebels safety Tysheem Johnson.

The former 4-star recruit was in Eugene for a visit over the weekend.

In 2022, Johnson had 78 total tackles, and was one of the staples of the Ole Miss defense. He now comes to Eugene as a player who can have an instant impact in the secondary and potentially start going forward.

While there will likely be more players that the Ducks add via the portal this offseason, Johnson should be seen as one of the biggest wins for the Ducks. Here’s a little bit more that you need to know about him going forward.

He would have led Oregon in tackling in 2022

Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

In the 2022 season, Tysheem Johnson has 78 total tackles, which was the third most on the Ole Miss Rebels roster. It would have been the most individual tackles by any player on Oregon’s roster.

Safety Bennett Williams led the Ducks with 72 tackles in 2022, while Jeffrey Bassa (66) and Noah Sewell (52) were the next closest.

It’s clear that the Ducks are bringing in an incredibly physical safety with a nose for the football.

Johnson Fills a Major Need

(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

While there are a number of good safeties on Oregon’s roster, the Ducks have obviously worked hard to fill a need — physicality.

Losing Bennett Williams this offseason hurts, but Dan Lanning has done well to bring in Evan Williams, Bennett’s brother, who is another physical tackler, and now he bolsters that position with the addition of Johnson. What’s notable is that Tysheem plays more of a nickel safety role, where he steps up in the box for run-stopping more, as well as an increase in coverage of tight ends and running backs. You can expect him to be a hard-hitter who is always near the ball next season.

Has 2 Years of Eligibility Remaining

(AP Photo/Thomas Graning)

Tysheem Johnson was part of the 2021 recruiting class, and he played 13 games as a true freshman, plus 14 as a sophomore. That leaves two years of eligibility to use in Eugene, if he chooses to stick around after the 2023 season.

Johnson Chose Ducks Over Mario Cristobal and Miami

(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

After his visit to Eugene over the weekend, Johnson went down to Coral Gables for a visit with Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes. Miami also has a major need in the defensive secondary after losing 8 DBs in the 2022 offseason.

Instead of sticking down in the south, Johnson decided to go with Dan Lanning up to the Pacific Northwest and join the Ducks.

Johnson Named to SEC All-Freshman Team in 2021

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

After starting in 11 games as a true freshman in 2021 and recording 47 tackles with one interception, Johnson was named to the SEC All-Freshman team. He would go on to bolster those tackle number by almost double in his second year with the Rebels.

Story originally appeared on Ducks Wire