Jan Johnson Blue/White Game

[Gray52]

I think we might have found our final answer on Jan Johnson's future. He started for the Blue team at ILB yesterday. From the info I had, the Blue team was considered the first team for both offense and defense. He looked pretty good. I guess (speculation) that it might have been part of some "deal" JF had with Jan... Help out Cael and you'll get a shot to showcase yourself in the spring... Maybe not.
No matter, it was great to have him while we did. I never really expected him to flip, but thought it would make an even better story. Now... to find another heavy.

 

[SRATH]

I don't believe there was any deal.....Jan is a pretty good linebacker in his own right and with starters banged up. While a walk on, he did turn down a full ride at either Akron or Kent....I am leaning strongly toward Akron. He has been getting first team reps all spring. Interesting freshman year.

 

[dunkej01]

I thought he played well and he should see the field in a backup/rotation capacity once everyone is healthy.

 

[dicemen99]

I thought he played well and he should see the field in a backup/rotation capacity once everyone is healthy.

Agree. The top six are Cabinda, Bell, Wartman-White, Bowen, Cooper & Walker. Beyond that it looks like Jan is on the 3-deep, maybe behind the CC transfer Vranic. Considering W/W is coming off a serious injury and Bell always seems to be injured, there is a very good chance JJ sees the field this year. LB is a position where you need bodies because you are always dinged up.

 

[PortlandLion]

Agree. The top six are Cabinda, Bell, Wartman-White, Bowen, Cooper & Walker. Beyond that it looks like Jan is on the 3-deep, maybe behind the CC transfer Vranic. Considering W/W is coming off a serious injury and Bell always seems to be injured, there is a very good chance JJ sees the field this year. LB is a position where you need bodies because you are always dinged up.

I thought is strange that Jan lost 10 pounds (226+ to 216) after wrestling to play football. I assume his roster weight might be old?

 

[CSauertiegPSU]

Don't get ahead of ourselves people. Jan is a fine athlete and a good kid, but he's likely to see very limited time at LB this season barring injury

 

[ptomaselli]

Don't get ahead of ourselves people. Jan is a fine athlete and a good kid, but he's likely to see very limited time at LB this season barring injury

It all depends on the health of Cabinda and Wartman-White. If they're healthy, they're in. Their main back up is probably Jake Cooper. The other LB is Brandon Bell who I think will be backed up by Manny Bowen. I think the other LB who sees the most time would be Von Walker who was a run-on like Johnson but actually earned a scholarship.

I think if Jan sees PT it would be on Special Teams.