Jaquan

Johnson

Johnson (5’10/191) made 29 starts in four seasons at The U, compiling 15 career pass breakups, eight picks, and six forced fumbles and earning second-team All-ACC as a senior. PFF College credited Johnson with a stingy 44.1 passer rating when targeted in 2018, and his 6.0% missed tackle rate was the best among all ACC safeties. Unfortunately, Johnson’s fringe athleticism was exposed at the Combine with fifth-percentile SPARQ results and 4.69 “speed.” Johnson best projects as a low-end NFL safety whose contributions may be limited to special teams.

“Johnson lacks range in coverage, size versus tight ends and speed versus receivers—but he will come downhill with a full head of steam and make plays underneath,” Miller wrote. Johnson (5'10/191) isn’t the biggest safety around, and the lack of size combined with middling athletic testing numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine could make him a tough sell for some teams. Compared to Quandre Diggs, the former Hurricane is projected to be a mid-round selection whose biggest impact comes on special teams.

Johnson (5'10/191) has been described as a player who offers more quickness than speed, so it’s not a surprise that he didn’t have a great 40-yard dash time. That being said, it’s probably safe to say they were expecting this from a free safety. He also disappointed in his explosiveness, with a 33-inch vertical and 121-inch broad jump. Johnson dealt with hamstring injuries last year, and you can’t help but wonder if those had a cause in his disappointing Monday. He’s still likely to be viewed as a mid-round pick.

Miller listed Iowa S Amani Hooker and Kentucky S Mike Edwards as his other two favorite mid-round safeties. Johnson (5'10/190) started 24 games and racked up six interceptions the past two seasons for the Hurricanes. He struggled with some hamstring injuries in 2018 but was still a massive contributor and posted 92 tackles on the season.

The star safety is tracking toward a return on Saturday against FSU. Johnson has been sidelined since injuring his hamstring in the first half of the win at Toledo two weeks ago.

Johnson, who hasn’t played since Miami’s Sept. 15 win at Toledo, did participate in pregame warmups and is in uniform. However it was reported during the first quarter that Miami is hopeful that it can avoid using Johnson against UNC, so as to give him even more time to recover. Miami’s next game isn’t until Oct. 5 against in-state rival Florida State.

Johnson was ruled to be a game-time decision for Miami’s ACC opener, and while a final determination on his status has yet to be made the mere fact that he’s going through warmups is a positive sign. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior, considered to be one of the top draft-eligible safeties in college football, did not play in Miami’s Sept. 22 win over FIU as a result of the hamstring injury.

Johnson (5'11/190) sustained a right hamstring injury in the first half of Saturday’s win over FIU. That he’s been able to make enough progress in practice to at least theoretically remain in play for Thursday is a good sign, but we’ll have to wait until closer to kickoff to see if he’ll be taking the field in earnest. In four games this season, the senior standout -- he could see Day 1 interest come the draft -- has registered 22 tackles. Still looking for his first interception after picking off four passes a year ago.

Johnson missed Saturday’s game against FIU. We’ll have further updates on Miami’s star safety as information becomes available, but for now consider him questionable for UNC on Thursday.

Last Saturday against Toledo, Johnson suffered a right hamstring injury during the second quarter and exited the game. Miami’s defense was pitching a shutout at the time and ended up giving up 24 points to Toledo after Johnson left. Something to keep an eye on Saturday. Johnson is one of the best safeties in the nation.