On a team that is seeing unprecedented preseason respect, there is a man largely at the center of it. Cornerback, Jaylon Johnson, has been a difference maker for the Utes since his freshman year and has only gotten better with time. Now entering his junior year- likely his last at Utah- his focus is solely on being the best player, teammate, and person he can be. The rest of the noise will figure itself out.

“It’s really not a battle for me honestly,” Johnson said. “It’s just getting the respect I need and going out this year and showing them why I had all those honors. There is no pressure, there is no battles. Nothing like that from me. It’s just going out and being the best football player I can be regardless if I win the honors. I’m just trying to be the best person I can be and try to contribute to the team.”

The Fresno, California native has always been one to stay grounded. Johnson is on schedule to graduate in December with a degree in strategic communications. During the off-season he spends as much time at home as he can perfecting his craft with his brother, John, who played cornerback at UCLA and his father John Sr.

Put it all on the line to chase ya dream. Best believe he gone rise to the top like the cream. pic.twitter.com/sGBgQg6ITR — Johnny Johnson (@sweettfeett) August 3, 2019

“I’ve always been taught from my brother,” Johnson said. “My dad taught me some of the position as well, but the majority of my coaching has been from my brother.”

That coaching at home and back in Utah has been put to the test early and often in camp according to Johnson who says the offense has been making strides and looking good.

“They always throw different looks at us so it makes it hard for a corner,” Johnson said. “Unpredictable. You’ve really got to tune into your technique and trust your gut.”

Particularly improved is quarterback, Tyler Huntley, who Johnson noted has never looked better not only physically, but also in how he demonstrates his knowledge of the game.

“Yeah, he’s been improving since I’ve been here,” Johnson said. “Not even physically, but mentally he’s able to read defenses, he’s able to- he’s really been picking at me a little more now that he knows my weaknesses and where to put the ball at. He definitely knows the game a lot better than he did when I first got here.”

Another exciting aspect for Johnson on the defensive side of the ball has been Julian Blackmon’s move from cornerback to safety. Known as a dynamic duo when both played corner, Johnson thinks their bond is going to be even stronger out on the field now that Blackmon has moved in and they can communicate even more with each other about what they are seeing.

“It’s actually better,” Johnson said. “At corner we were on opposite sides. Now that he’s at safety we have a lot more communication. We’ve always had a trust factor, so now being able to trust him at safety- knowing that he has my back and we can work together on things is pretty good.”

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