SALT LAKE CITY — Jaylon Jonson has played his final game for the Utah Utes.
The junior cornerback, a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 honoree, announced via Twitter on Friday that he’s declaring for the NFL draft, and on Saturday, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham confirmed that Johnson will not play for the Utes in the Alamo Bowl against Texas on Dec. 31.
“He’s elected to enter the draft, which was no surprise,” said Whittingham, who explained that was always the plan for Johnson. “He’s also decided that he’s going to forgo the bowl game.”
Johnson, a highly touted recruit out of Fresno, California, signed with Utah over offers from programs that included Oklahoma and USC. The 6-foot, 195-pound defensive back appeared in 38 games for Utah and made 102 tackles (88 solo). He broke up 28 passes and made seven interceptions, returning two for touchdowns.
The loss of Johnson certainly adds to the degree of difficulty the Utes will face in San Antonio later this month. They lost safeties Julian Blackmon and R.J. Hubert to injuries in the Pac-12 Championship Game, and things won’t get any easier for the secondary. Texas has a prolific pass attack with quarterback Sam Ehlinger (3,462 yards, 29 touchdowns) and the nation’s leading receiver, Devin Duvernay (103 receptions).
“Next man up. Julian’s out. Hubert’s out. Jaylon’s out,” Whittingham said. “No one feels sorry for you. Nobody cares, and so it’s an opportunity for some other guys to show what they can do.”
Junior Nephi Sewell, a Nevada transfer, is expected to start with senior Terrell Burgess at safety. Seniors Tareke Lewis and Josh Nurse, along with junior Javelin Guidry, are key contributors at corner.
Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley acknowledged the loss of Blackmon, Hubert and Johnson will make things challenging against Texas.
“But that’s why you recruit. That’s why you develop,” he said. “So we’ve got guys who will step up.”
Scalley noted it was big to get Sewell eligible after he transferred and that guys they have down the line have got to step up and make plays.
As of now, Johnson is the only Utah player opting to miss the Alamo Bowl to prepare for the NFL draft. All of the seniors plan to participate in the game.
“I just wanted to play with my guys,” running back Zack Moss said. “It’s one reason I came back, was to play with these guys again and I definitely want us to go ahead and finish it off. I’m healthy enough to go ahead and play, so, I mean, that’s exactly what I want to do.”
Moss added that it wasn’t a group decision by the seniors, but more of an individual thing.
“The guys love this team, love the program, love the coaching,” said Moss, who also mentioned the fans and the community. “So why not give everyone just one more (game), you know?”
EXTRA POINTS: Whittingham said that quarterback Cameron Rising, a transfer from Texas, is eligible to play in the Alamo Bowl against the Longhorns without losing a year of eligibility. ... The Utes began bowl practices earlier in the week. Whittingham noted that things were a bit sluggish in the opener on Thursday. However, things really picked up on Saturday. “It seems like we’re back in good spirits now,” Whittingham said. ... Scalley expressed gratitude to Whittingham and director of athletics Mark Harlan for the contract amendment he’s receiving from the U. He told reporters that he doesn’t want to go anywhere. However, Scalley declined to discuss any speculation about him eventually becoming the next head coach of the Utes.