Give us all the defensive line depth!
The UNC football program added yet another transfer addition to its defensive line unit, earning a commitment from Arizona transfer Isaiah Johnson. A 6-foot-1, 310 pound defensive tackle, Johnson will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Johnson's transfer recruitment didn't take very long. On Tuesday, the former Wildcat entered his name into the portal, and proceeded to visit two schools: Tennessee and North Carolina. Following the pair of visits, Johnson decided that Chapel Hill would be his next landing spot.
After making two appearances during the 2023 season (and redshirting during his first collegiate season in 2022), Johnson's role increased during his redshirt sophomore season in 2024. Over 10 games played (one start), Johnson recorded eight tackles and a pair of sacks.
Johnson has a connection to the UNC football program's new look coaching staff, as defensive assistant coach Ty Nichols spent each of the past two seasons at Arizona. Knowing what Johnson is capable of on the football field, it shouldn't be a surprise to think that Nichols played a role in his recruitment to North Carolina.
You could never have too much depth in the trenches, especially when you lost essentially your entire defensive line from a season ago for various reasons. The UNC football program has made it a focal point to add talent to its defensive line unit and has done so, taking a chance on some guys who might not have the most productive statlines but rather, guys who can come in and make an impact right away for the Tar Heels.