Most Crucial Jayhawks: No. 17 – DB Isaiah Johnson
photo by: Nick Krug
Kansas safety Isaiah Johnson comes away with his second interception of the game on a bobbled pass to a Texas receiver during the fourth quarter on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013 at Darrell K. Royal Stadium in Austin, Texas.
Here’s the latest installment in our series that examines the Jayhawks who stand to have the biggest impact for KU football this fall.
No. 17: Isaiah Johnson, Junior DB
Voted Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore last season, Johnson has a knack for intercepting passes. He tied for second in the conference with five picks and ranked second on the Jayhawks with 73 tackles. In his lone season of junior-college football, Johnson had eight interceptions, so his five-pick season was no fluke. He also picked up an interception in the spring game.
Having a defensive back with a knack for interceptions is a bigger plus than ever in today’s game because high-powered offenses score so quickly and on such a high percentage of possessions, particularly in the Big 12.
Originally recruited to college as a wide receiver, Johnson didn’t make the switch because he didn’t have sure hands.
The secondary shapes up as the team’s strongest unit in terms of both depth and talent and Johnson, an instinctive, physical football player, is one of the keys to it.
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