Former UT-Martin OLB Keyshawn Johnson commits to Syracuse
Former UT-Martin OLB Keyshawn Johnson recorded 13.5 sacks in 2025, earning him the OVC-Big South Defensive Player of the Year award. Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer
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Former UT-Martin outside linebacker Keyshawn Johnson committed to Syracuse Friday, according to syracuse.com’s Brent Axe. Johnson is SU’s most notable addition on defense so far, joining former Toledo linebacker Chris D’Appolonia and George State defensive tackle Jartavius Flounoy.
Johnson is coming off a stellar season with UT-Martin, where he finished with a team-high 13.5 sacks — albeit in the FCS — earning him OVC-Big South Defensive Player of the Year. Johnson has one more year of eligibility remaining.
Coming out of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Johnson was a zero-star recruit, according to 247 Sports. He initially committed to Grambling State University but transferred to UT-Martin for the next two seasons. In 2024, Johnson recorded 3.5 sacks and 24 tackles, adding 10 more sacks and 53 tackles in 2025.
Per 247Sports, Johnson is the 467th-best transfer in the country and the 56th-best edge rusher, a position where Syracuse lacked last season. The Orange got almost no sack production from its edge rushers. Its best pass rusher on the outside was Jamie Tremble (three sacks), who switched positions this season after initially being recruited as a tight end.
The next best? Eighth-year player David Reese, who finished with 2.5 sacks, while Denis Jaquez Jr. had two. Syracuse finished with 20 QB takedowns, the third-worst mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
If SU wants to improve its defense, which allowed an ACC-high 34.9 points per game in 2025, it must pressure the quarterback better. The Orange’s inability to get sacks left their defense vulnerable, which hemorrhaged yards and points during their eight-game losing streak to finish the season.
Johnson has the potential to give Syracuse a boost along the defensive line. However, replicating production from the FCS to the FBS can be vastly different. If Johnson proves himself in the FBS, Syracuse’s defense will likely improve.
