2016 NFL Draft Scouting Notes: Isaiah Johnson, Safety, South Carolina
2016 NFL Draft Scouting Notes: Isaiah Johnson, Safety, South Carolina
By Lijah Spencer (@tweaked74)
Tonight we look at a player who has played his last two seasons at Kansas but will play his senior season at South Carolina. As always the notes are based off from film from previous seasons, and will be followed by the full scouting report later this season. Here are my notes:
Isaiah Johnson. 6’1. 210 Lbs. S. South Carolina. (Senior)
The Positives
1) Has good size for a safety
2) A very good tackling safety
3) Very hard hitting
4) Good hands and ball skills
The Negatives
1) May need to improve coverage skills
Isaiah Johnson started his college career at a community college, then later transferred to Kansas, where he became a force in the secondary. He has since transferred to South Carolina for his senior season for what are being called “personal reasons”. Johnson has the size NFL teams covet at the safety position, standing at 6’1 and 210 Lbs. He is a very physical player, and a very hard hitting safety. He is an above average tackler, whether it is via a hard hit or just a solid wrap up tackle. Johnson also has good enough hands to snare the interception, and the ball skills to deflect passes when he can’t make the INT. There are times the receiver will get past him (though this happens to the best safeties as well) and he may need to improve his coverage skills a bit. Transferring to the Gamecocks so late may put him behind in knowing the defensive scheme, but if Johnson can become the starter (he looks to be more talented than their current safety crop) and plays well this upcoming season he could well find himself rising near the top of the safety class for the 2016 Draft.
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