Sam Johnson brings big-leg upside and reliable field-position value for USC
In the 2025 season, USC punter Sam Johnson flashed the kind of leg that can flip field position in a hurry: he averaged 42.1 yards on 24 punts, with a long of 59, while USC listed him as a redshirt senior transfer from Valparaiso. His earlier Valparaiso production was eye-catching too—he posted a 47.13-yard punting average in 2024, ranking third nationally in FCS and second among punters with at least 50 attempts. If you want a punter who can change the geometry of a game, Johnson fits; if you want pure consistency, the 2025 numbers suggest there’s still some volatility to manage.
