30 Players in 30 Days — #30: Jarrett Johnson

Notes from Billy's breakdown

• Johnson is a guy you need on your defense. May be way up on the list in 2017 if he is a projected starter as a senior. He's a hard playing guy who helps set the tone for the unit as a whole.


• Sometimes playing backup to a superstar keeps you hungry and makes you make the most of your reps. Johnson isn't as physically gifted as Myles Garrett or Daeshon Hall, but he is still very talented and a hard playing guy.


• Johnson's work ethic and his ability to be coached makes him very likable as a player. A&M could have the best defensive end unit, top to bottom, in the SEC and Johnson is a big part of that. If one of the starters happens to get injured, that's when you'll really start to understand the importance of a guy like Johnson.


• Johnson is going to have a spot in the playing rotation and will get a good number of reps this year. However, he can't just go out and not perform in fall camp. That shows the depth A&M currently has at the position.


• Is better against the run than against the pass. However, a lot of his hurries and sacks will come because he's relentless. He's not a blur off the edge but he battles against the run and understands leverage, positioning and containment.

Notes from Olin's thoughts on Johnson

• Being put on the 30 in 30 list is sometimes based on production and sometimes based on projection. This is one that is based on projection. Production wise his first two years has been pretty modest. Had 21 tackles and three tackles for loss in 2015.


• What you want out of him is someone who can give Myles Garrett a little rest without a huge drop off at the position for the plays he is in for. Not going to be Myles Garrett but can be a steady backup when needed.


• One of the biggest keys to success in the SEC is depth at defensive line and if he can be a solid role player who can keep the opposition from automatically going his direction while Garrett is out, that's all you need.


• Guys get to be juniors and they find a way to produce more. Johnson is now a junior so you can probably expect him to be more productive than in the past. Not asking him to be a 5-10 sack guy, just asking him to be solid and to give Garrett a few plays to catch his breath.


• Wonders if his body type would allow for him to be bulked up like the staff did with Julien Obioha and Alonzo Williams in order to have him play inside. However, that may not be necessary now with more defensive tackle depth.