SALT LAKE CITY — Saturday’s all-important game against Colorado could be the last time Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson plays in Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The 6-foot cornerback plans to declare for the NFL draft after the Utes’ season concludes.
“That’s still my approach to declare. I’ve still got to finish out the season and just get my draft grade back and then go from there, but that’s still my plan to declare,” Johnson said.
The Fresno, California, native could be a prized draftee among NFL teams come draft time. Johnson is the 37th-best 2020 NFL draft prospect, according to Pro Football Focus.
With Johnson likely to leave after this season, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham is planning to honor him on Senior Day against the Buffaloes.
“We’re going to have something. I’ve got to have a discussion with Jaylon again and make sure we’re doing it the way he wants it done. We fully are on board if that’s the decision he ultimately sticks with,” Whittingham said.
Johnson said that he doesn’t want to steal the spotlight from the seniors if he does get honored.
“I just want to give the seniors their respect. They’ve been through the process longer than me, they’ve been here, they’ve done their time here so I don’t want to take any of their shine for any of my particular goals that I have,” Johnson said. “We’re just going to do it another way and just give the seniors all their time and all their recognition.”
However he gets honored, one thing is certain: the university should honor Johnson, one of the best cornerbacks to ever come through the program. Since he was a freshman, Johnson’s talent was evident. He started as a true freshman and was tied for the most pass breakups on the team. Johnson improved even more during his sophomore year, when he had four interceptions to lead the Utes and was named to the Pac-12 first team. So far this year, Johnson has shut down opposing players and has 28 tackles, nine pass breakups and two interceptions — one against Washington for a touchdown.
“You talk about a guy that laid out a plan and laid out some goals and really achieved every one of them — that’s Jaylon. He’s a guy that’s very organized and he knows what he wants,” Whittingham said.
Adding to his impressive season is the fact that Johnson has often been covering the opposing team’s best receiver.
“At this point, it is just my job at this point to go out and shut whoever their best guy is down. It’s nothing new for this week, just go out there and whoever they put me on, I plan to lock up,” Johnson said.
This week, Johnson’s assignment will be one of his toughest yet. Colorado receiver Laviska Shenault is considered one of the top receivers in next year’s draft if he declares, ranking as the 13th-best overall pl
ayer in the draft, according to Pro Football Focus.
“He’s tremendous after the catch. He’s a great runner. Some receivers after they catch the ball, there’s not much there, they get a few yards here or there, but he is explosive after the catch. After he makes a reception, he turns into a running back. He could probably play running back — that’s how talented he is,” Whittingham said.
Shenault is known for his ability to explode after the catch. He has 712 receiving yards on 52 receptions and two touchdowns this year. The matchup between one of the top receivers in the nation and one of the top cornerbacks in nation will be one to watch as Utah vies for its second straight Pac-12 South title.
“Once he catches the ball, he’s explosive. He can turn short plays into long plays, just being able to stretch the plays and just being a dynamic playmaker,” Johnson said.
Johnson, as always, will be trying to limit Shenault’s catches and touches as much as he can. Tackling will be extra important with Shenault’s after-the-catch abilities.
If it is his last game in Rice-Eccles Stadium, Johnson is grateful for all the memories — but is excited to keep making new ones as the Utes enter the most important stretch of their season.
“I’ve had fun throughout my all my years here, so I can’t just pick a certain time. Just keep building and keep making memories with the guys and keep having fun,” Johnson said.
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Utes on the air
Colorado (5-6, 3-5)
at No. 7 Utah (10-1, 7-1)
Rice-Eccles Stadium
Saturday, 5:30 p.m.
TV: ABC, Ch. 4
Radio: ESPN 700AM