ATHENS — There are always a few freshmen who are able to pick things up quickly when they arrive at Georgia.
Be it because of their top-tier athletic gifts or mental makeup, some are better able to adapt to the rigors of the college game.
One of those players seems to be freshman outside linebacker Quintavius Johnson.
“He’s a great athlete overall,” hybrid linebacker Jalon Walker said of Johnson. “Excited to see him grow up. Since the spring, seeing his strides as he’s become a better player, I’m proud of him.”
Johnson wasn’t a big-name recruit during the 2024 cycle. He wasn’t viewed an instant contributor like say safety KJ Bolden or running back Nate Frazier.
Johnson played for Mays High School in Atlanta. He was the No. 327 overall player in the class, committing to Georgia in June of last year. His recruiting ranking did rise over the course of his senior season, going from a 3-star prospect at the time he committed to Georgia to a 4-star prospect by the time he arrived in January.
He’s now found a home at outside linebacker after playing quarterback during his high school days. It speaks to the level of athleticism that Johnson has and why Georgia is understandably excited about his potential.
“He’s got great size, great speed. He has power,” outside linebacker Chaz Chambliss said. “We’ve just got to hone in on just finding his strengths and playing to them right now.”
Georgia has gotten creative at the outside linebacker position this offseason. Mykel Williams will play a larger role at the position this fall, while Walker is going to be a factor at the position.
Chambliss has been limited so far with a hamstring injury, which has given Johnson a chance at more reps. He’s still behind sophomores Damon Wilson and Sam M’Pemba on the depth chart, but Johnson has made plays in both of Georgia’s scrimmages thus far.
“I’ve been pleasantly surprised with Q. Johnson,” tight ends coach Todd Hartley said. “He had some high school tape of him playing quarterback, and one of the things you at in trying to find a tight end sometimes, sometimes these high school kids don’t always play tight end. You go, ‘This guy, I know Chidera (Uzo-Diribe) wants him in his room, but I’ll take him in my room.’
“He’s athletic and surprisingly for a freshman has not been overwhelmed with what our defense is trying to do schematically.”
Georgia knows it needs to up its sack production from a season ago, when it had only 30 in 14 games. And with the defensive line dealing with injuries at the moment, it will have to lean more on the outside linebacker room to generate pressure while still being stout in the run game.
Johnson may not be an immediate contributor at the position for Georgia, given the veterans that are on the depth chart ahead of him.
But the 6-foot-4, 255 outside linebacker has impressed teammates and coaches alike thus far in Athens. It’s a promising start for what could be an intriguing chess piece on the Georgia defense for years to come.
