Jaylen Johnson is a 6-4, 235-lb. athletic defender who can run and hit in the Oregon defensive tradition. He’s a key part of a group of 6-8 visitors to Autzen Stadium for the Tennessee game, with the both the character and athletic ability the Ducks covet.
A three-star player who divides his time between defensive end and linebacker for his Centennial High prep squad, the Corona, CA prospect has two dozen offers, including the Ducks, Boise State, USC, TCU and Northwestern. In interviews he immediately impresses as a polite, intelligent kid with clearly defined goals. Talking about choosing a college he told Chris Swanson of rivals.com,
“It’s more about a fit rather than the name of the school or how the football program is doing at the moment. I’m taking a lot into consideration. It’s mainly about the atmosphere and if I could see myself living there as well as the academics.”
“Nothing is for certain, so I want to make sure I get the most out of college so I can have a degree to fall back on.”
Johnson has earned a 3.4 G.P.A. going into his senior year.
Jaylen locks down: Besides being a talented football player, Jaylen Johnson has really cool dreads. He’s even more intimidating when the ball is snapped (247sports.com photo).
On the field, he’s strong, mobile and aggressive. Last season he ranged for a whopping 113 tackles, with 4 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. He forced two fumbles and recovered two. 1st team all-league, 1st team All-CIF, and second team all-state, he displays a tremendous motor and great lateral pursuit, looking very athletic and coachable in his highlight film.
He’s the kind of player Nick Aliotti and Don Pellum love to coach, a versatile athlete who plays with great effort, a smart football player who keeps getting better.
His highlight video can be viewed HERE.
Scouting notes from the video:
Fires out low with great pad level for a big guy. Can really run. Intense, physical player with a high motor. Strong, intimidating. A good tackler who pursues well laterally. Fights linemen to a standstill and gets off the block to get in on the play.
Can play hand up or hand down. Good outside speed rusher. Looks comfortable in the open field, pancakes an opponent on kickoff return, just throws him down with a clean, legal hit. Squares up on a ball carrier with good footwork. An athlete with good size rather than a lumbering fat guy.
Excellent nose for the ball, reads and reacts really well hunting down the ball. Plays well in space and pursues with enthusiasm and purpose.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
