Jaquan Johnson returned to the Miami football program for his Senior year to in his own words win a championship.
Johnson began creating his legacy as another one of the great safeties in the Miami football program last season. He started five games as a Sophomore in a Senior laded secondary in 2016, then all 13 games as a Junior last season.
Johnson was named the 2017 Miami football team MVP. He led the team in tackles and forced fumbles and tied for the team lead in interceptions and fumble recoveries.
Johnson has had a stellar offseason of recognition. He has been named first-team All-American and All-ACC by numerous media outlets. He has also been named to the watch lists for four different postseason awards.
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Johnson is up for the Bednarik Award and Nagurski Trophy that honor the best overall Defensive Player, the Thorpe Award for the Nation’s best defensive back and Walter Camp award for the best overall player.
Johnson will lead a Senior troupe in the secondary. Cornerback Michael Jackson who is also on the Thorpe and Nagurski Watch Lists and safety Sheldrick Redwine also return as Senior Starters at defensive back. They will be joined by Sophomore Trajan Bandy.
Cornerback Jhavonte Dean who is likely to be the Hurricanes third cornerback is another Senior will receive a lot of playing time.
Johnson was one of the best safeties in the country last season. He produced better numbers than Dolphins first-round pick Minkah Fitzpatrick who was the Thorpe Award winner playing for Alabama. Miami Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda spoke to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson in July praising Johnson’s 2017 season.
"“When you look at Jaquan’s stats, going off straight numbers, he had better stats than the Jim Thorpe award winner, who was the best player in the country last year…His tackles [96], interceptions [four], if you combine interceptions and fumbles [two recovered, three forced], he was elite.The biggest thing too about him is all the stuff he does in the game to help us get aligned and allow us to do things. What makes him the best safety in the country is his ability to erase mistakes. That’s your number one job as a safety.”"
Johnson still has room to improve. He missed most of Spring practice due to conflicts with his class schedule. Banda elaborated on what more they expect out of their star safety in 2018.
"“I would like to see him make more tackles for losses [three each of the past two years], would love to see him be more destructive in the backfield and see his number jump in that area in terms of takeaways and interceptions. He has to make all of the [big play opportunities], not some.”"
Miami was abysmal last season defensively on third down and in the red zone. If Johnson can improve his tackles for loss and by making more big plays it will get the Hurricanes defense off the field quicker and give Miami a better chance to keep opponents from scoring in the red zone.
Johnson is an exceptional player with a great opportunity in front of him this season. At 5’11 195 pounds he is undersized for an NFL safety. If he can make more big plays in 2018 Johnson will help the Hurricanes as a team and increase his own draft stock.