Archived Thread

UDFA Alex Johnson ...

Manny in CA : 5/4/2024 10:43 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m21tvASKKHw

He's a high ability player from a major school (UCLA). At 6'1", 190, he probably needs to add a few more pounds and spend more time in the weight room to gain more strength and muscle.

Other than that, he's a perfect ball-hawk fit in Shane Bowen's opportunistic zone schemes.

The 33rd Team scouting report on Johnson is not an optimistic one:

KingBlue : 5/5/2024 7:55 am : link

Alex Johnson projects as a No. 4 safety who fits best in a 2-high scheme. He is undersized with a slight frame and has high-cut hips. He possesses solid straight-line speed and burst but can struggle in mirror-matching routes. He shows good instincts, and he will flash quick reactive footwork. While his plant and drive ability is usually reliable, lateral jab steps can flip his hips and create separation at the top of the route. Johnson is a one-year starter and his ball skills are a little untested, but he showed promise when given a chance. He lacks the physicality and strength to be a major factor against the run currently. His tackling form needs improvement as he lets too many ballcarriers slip away. On 3rd downs, he is versatile, but is best in a deep zone where he can read the QB. He should be a contributing special teamer.

Johnson's 2023 stats are pretty good ...

Manny in CA : 5/6/2024 1:04 am : link

https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/gamelog/_/id/4367181/alex-johnson

29 tackles (20 solo), 5 Ints {37 yards} (led Pac-12), fumble recoveries (1, returned for TD vs. USC); Honorable mention - Pac 12 safety.

Not bad for a UDFA, I'd say

I could see him pushing for Holmes or McCloud's ST spots

Blue Dog : 5/6/2024 3:12 am : link

McCloud is that safety/corner/gunner role and Holmes is that nickel/gunner role, both sound like they could fit his profile. They might want them as more experienced corner depth though. Maybe they stash him on the PS for a year with the plan being to replace one next year. Special teams has been a big offseason focus and I think gunner will come down to them, Miles Boykin, and Bryce Ford-Wheaton, but there are no clear locks. The attached clip says Johnson says he played special teams and tested well so I'm sure he'll be in the mix. They would have Johnson for 3 years though for the new ST coaches to develop.

Cordale Flott comparison ....

Manny in CA : 5/6/2024 2:30 pm : link

Who happens to be a good player at 6'2", 175); Johnson is bigger, but that doesn't mean he couldn't stand to get into the weight room more often to get stronger.

Johnson is a ball hawk, (a great trait) and I don't think he doesn't have the broken tackle rate that 3rd round Andru Phillips has; I read somewhere that it's over 20%.