South Alabama helped fill a position of major need through the transfer portal on Thursday morning, signing former Auburn defensive tackle Stephen Johnson.

Johnson (6-foot-4, 334 pounds) played the 2024 season at McNeese, where he totaled 17 tackles, a blocked kick and a pass breakup in 10 games. The Fayetteville, Ga., native did not see action at Auburn the previous season, and has three years of eligibility remaining.

Johnson’s signing was first reported by Jags Jungle of the 247 Sports network. A source confirmed the news to AL.com.

South Alabama lost three seniors who were multi-year starters or contributors after the 2024 season, with Wy’Kevious Thomas, Maurice Strong and Carlos Johnson all exhausting their eligibility. The Jaguars signed junior-college defensive tackle Dominic Wiseman in December, while program veterans Ed Smith and RJ Moss are also expected to be in the rotation at the two interior defensive line positions.

Johnson is the third player South Alabama has signed through the transfer portal in the current cycle, along with quarterback Zach Pyron (Minnesota) and cornerback Nehemiah Chandler (Georgia Tech). The Jaguars are expected to sign around a half-dozen more transfers before the start of summer workouts in late May/early June.

South Alabama finished 7-6 last season, its third straight winning season.