Jaylon Johnson
Cornerback
Utah

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

 

Jaylon Johnson:  5’11 7/8, 193 pounds and my official forty time was a 4.50.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you decide to enter the NFL Draft after your junior year?

 

Jaylon Johnson:  It was an opportunity to better myself and my lifestyle.  It was the right opportunity and time to do so.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  Where were you training before the Scouting Combine?

Jaylon Johnson:  At EXOS in Carlsbad, CA.  

 

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your overall experience at the 2020 Scouting Combine?

 

Jaylon Johnson:  Honestly, it was a survival of the fittest.  The whole process is designed to try to figure out the deficiencies in your game on and off the field.  You get very little sleep.  You have medicals all day, formal and informal interviews.  NFL teams want to see who will break down under these circumstances.  You stay strong and enjoy the moment.  You talk to NFL teams and keep a positive attitude.  All of your actions were being watched.  Bring a good vibe and energy.  Stay strong and enjoy the process.  Take ownership and be mature about the whole process. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  Were you happy with your overall results in Indy?

 

Jaylon Johnson:  Testing wise, I underachieved in all of my areas of testing.  I did better in all of the drills during training.  I was running in the low 4.4 during training.  My vert and broad weren’t as high or long.  Those were not the numbers that I was shooting for.      

 

Alex Khvatov:  What was the biggest thing that you took away from the Combine?

 

Jaylon Johnson:  Be true to yourself.  Don’t try to overthink it.  Just show who you are and be yourself.  Relax and act like you belong.  They invited you.  I was confident in who I am and in my abilities.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  You just underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum, tell us about the recovery process. 

 

Jaylon Johnson:  I should be cleared in about four months.  I will miss OTA’s, but I should be ready for training camp.  I am just trying to get range of motion back.  I should have stability and strength back soon.  I should be cleared in the summer time.  I started with the recovery process the same day of the surgery.  I have physical therapy every day.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  You played with that shoulder injury throughout your junior season.  Why did you make that decision?       

 

Jaylon Johnson:  Honestly, I was playing for my team.  I was playing with my guys one last time.  I wanted to win the PAC-12.  I was being a competitor.  I decided to play through the injury. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What was it like to face off against Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship this year?

 

Jaylon Johnson:  It was my second time going into it.  It wasn’t as thrilling as my first PAC-12 Championship game against Washington the previous year.  We had expectations and we wanted to handle our business.  It was another big game.  They were a heck of a team.  They had a great game plan.  They switched up their tendencies.  It was a good opportunity to go up against a good program and good players. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  Tell me about Oregon QB Justin Herbert. 

 

Jaylon Johnson:  He was pretty accurate and had a strong arm.  We weren’t prepared for him to run the way he did.  He hurt our defense with his legs.  He was big, but we saw his versatility.  We didn’t think he would run the way he ran against us.    

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Jaylon Johnson:  I had about 25 offers from each conference, but mainly on the west coast.  USC, Utah and Oklahoma were my final three.  I committed to USC, but then I switched.  I was unsure about their coaching situation.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose Utah?

 

Jaylon Johnson:  I built a relationship with my position coach at Utah.  I gravitated towards Sharrieff Shah.  I pushed him to be a better coach, and he made me a better player.  I connected with him.    

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Jaylon Johnson:  Coverage ability.  Not just in man, but zone as well.  I am versatile in coverage.  I am smart and intelligent.  I bring toughness and confidence.    

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Jaylon Johnson:  My tackling.  I wasn’t able to work on it during training because of my shoulder injury. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your overall career?

 

Jaylon Johnson:  It was pretty successful.  I didn’t get the PAC-12 Championship.  But I earned a starting spot my freshman year and started my sophomore and junior year.  I was a two-time first team All-PAC-12.  I was a two-time all-academic player.  I earned All-American this past year.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

 

Jaylon Johnson:  Winning against Washington this year.  Everybody counted us out.  No one thought we would win on the road.  I had a pick six to bring us back.  Seeing our offense come through and put the game away, it was surreal.  We overcame adversity.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  What was the biggest thing that you took away from your coaching staff?

 

Jaylon Johnson:  We had a quote.  How you do anything is how you do everything.  No matter how big or small the task, the mindset has to be the same.  Take pride in what you are doing.  Be the best in everything in your attitude and your approach.  Be consistent and be great in everything that you do.      

 

Alex Khvatov:  What was it like to be a part of that defense at Utah?

 

Jaylon Johnson:  It was fun.  Knowing that all 11 guys on the field are dogs and want to win.  The coaches always preached to us to be tough and get off the ball.  Our defense is not only tough guys, but they are smart.  We knew what we were doing.  We studied the offense and their tendencies.  We made plays and worked well together.  We worked hard in the offseason and knew how we can get better.  We were a tight-knit group and we shared a bond.  We wanted to win.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a CB?

 

Jaylon Johnson:  Confidence.  When you get beat, stay confident.  When the big play will occur, you have to keep the same highs and keep your motor going.  Keep your head in the game after you get beat for a TD.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Jaylon Johnson:  All-time, it was Deion Sanders.  Current player is Patrick Peterson. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?

Jaylon Johnson:  WR Bryan Thompson.  He had flashes last year, but he battled injuries.  He is a dynamic player.  He is coming back and should have a good year.  He will be one of those first team All-PAC-12 guys next season.     

Alex Khvatov:  Who was the toughest player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Jaylon Johnson:  Michael Pittman Jr. from USC.  I didn’t go against him this year.  But I did go against him last year.  He was a bigger, more physical receiver.  You had to compete against him through the whole play.  He was tough and he brought that to the table.  He was a pretty good player.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Jaylon Johnson:  Competing and winning.  I want to compete against the best in the one on one matchups in every aspect.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Jaylon Johnson:  I have no hobbies.  I watch movies and hang out with friends.    

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

Jaylon Johnson:  I was a communications major.  I felt like I needed to learn how to communicate with others.  It is an important skill to have.  I want to open up a training facility with my brother.  I want to help the younger generation and give back.  My brother, John Johnson, played CB at UCLA.  He played from 2013-2017.  He is my trainer right now.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Jaylon Johnson:  Tough, determined, intelligent, confident and likeable.