2026 NCAA ‘A’ finalist Jacob Johnson has announced he will transfer from Minnesota to Georgia. Johnson just finished his sophomore season and has two years of eligibility remaining.
Johnson, a Pennsylvania native, arrived at Minnesota in fall 2024. He led the Gophers as a freshman, swimming to a lifetime best 1:40.47 200 fly for 2nd at the 2025 Big Ten Championships. He went on to finish 10th in the event at the 2025 NCAA Championships in another lifetime best of a 1:39.96. He also swam in prelims of the 100 fly (45.35, 30th) and 50 free (20.56, 60th).
He returned for his sophomore season and swam to a lifetime best 44.86 100 fly in prelims before swimming a 44.92 for 7th in finals at the 2026 Big Ten Championships. He also was 4th in the 200 fly with a season best 1:40.20.
He went on to swim a lifetime best 1:39.20 in the 200 fly at 2026 NCAAs, earning him a 4th place finish. He also was 27th in the 100 fly with a 45.37 but his 44.86 from Big Tens would have been 16th. His 200 fly scored him a total of 15 individual points.
The Georgia men finished 15th at the 2026 NCAA Championships with 64.5 points. Notably absent from the team at NCAAs was Luca Urlando as he scratched the meet after psych sheets were released. Urlando is the NCAA record holder in the 200 fly. He still has one year of eligibility remaining and said back in March 2025 that he planned to use both years, one of which he has now used. Drew Hitchcock was the only swimmer for Georgia at 2026 NCAAs as he swam a 1:40.43 for 17th.
I wouldn’t lose sight of the Mike Joyce of it all: coached Jacob during his freshman year, then moved to Georgia the next summer (likely recruited him too). Might’ve been nice to have a familiar face on staff
Georgia is getting a great all around person and teammate not just a great swimmer !!
I’d call that a lateral move these days. Must be the $$
Or training with America’s best 200 butterflier.
But yes, unconfirmed rumors are that he was offered between $20k-$30k.
that’s wild for a swimmer who isn’t a “star”
lol ok
Wow Bottazzo in the portal too
Actually??
as of 47 minutes ago
Wouldn’t she have to commit somewhere by tomorrow?
Think she just has to be in the portal before the date
That’s correct. Deadline to enter is tomorrow, but there’s no real deadline other than the practical logistics of enrollment, housing, etc.
Someone told me there’s supposed to be one more big name drop in the portal this week. Haven’t seen it yet though.
Guy or girl?
It was Bottazzo.
Welcome!!!! Happy to have you at 200 Fly U!
Men 2fly U
reuniting with his freshman year coach Mike Joyce and by the looks of it his gf goes to South Carolina which is pretty close to Athens. not too surprising, wishing him the best
Good get for the dawgs! A possible 1-2 punch in 2027?
Nico Basten from UIndy as well