Road to NFL Draft: How former Central High star Jaylon Johnson overcame a serious injury
Jaylon Johnson says he never fears pain.
Take, for example, how the former Central High football standout dealt with a torn labrum in his right shoulder in 2018.
There goes his 2019 season at University of Utah, right?
Wrong.
“I couldn’t afford not to play,” Johnson says. “I played through it from the start, and it was giving me issues heading into the season, as well.”
Johnson started every game at cornerback and finished the season with 36 tackles, two interceptions and 13 pass break-ups in 13 games played, helping the Utes reach the Pac-12 title game.
He was named an All-American.
All with a torn labrum.
He declared early for the 2020 NFL draft (skipping Utah’s bowl game) and is projected to go in the first two rounds.
The NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23-25 in Las Vegas without fans because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic.
Johnson said he played because there was “a lot of unfinished business from the team and individual standpoint.
“I didn’t actually know what was wrong with it and I shrugged it off going into the season.” he said. “In fall camp, I hurt it kind of bad in practice and I knew something was wrong.”
With a business degree in his back pocket, Johnson is focused on playing in the NFL.
For that to happen, he knew surgery was necessary. Dr. Peter Millet at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado, handled that, then sent a letter to the 32 NFL clubs informing them that Johnson will be ready for the start of the 2020 season.
The surgery was March 4, just days after Johnson participated in the NFL Scouting Combine.
He is recovering at his Fresno home.
Meeting with Raiders ‘amazing moment’
Johnson met at the combine with many NFL general managers and coaches.
He said each meeting lasted up to 20 minutes.
“It was a unique experience,” he said. “It’s fun to be able to have an opportunity to talk to different GMs and coaches. Being able to connect and share your story with them and being able to watch film and break down football. Just to get a feel for each other.”
Johnson called the meeting with Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock, head coach Jon Gruden and defensive backs coach Jim O’Neil “an amazing moment.”
Combine experience
On March 1, Johnson took part in the combine when cornerbacks took the field at Lucas Field Stadium in Indianapolis.
Listed at 6-foot and 193 pounds, Johnson was timed in the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds.
His other stats: 15 bench press reps; 36.5-inch vertical jump; 124.0 inches in broad jump; 3-cone drill in 7.01 seconds and 20-yard shuttle in 4.13 seconds.
Johnson said he did well at the combine, but felt he could have done better in the 40-yard run.
“Always room for improvement,” he said. “I feel like I did solid considering my situation.”
Waiting for the draft
As Johnson continues to heal from the surgery, he said he’s going to continue to rest.
He realizes there will be no pro days and team visits because of the coronavirus.
“I had some things to prepare for and that’s all out of the window,” he said. ‘It’s a waiting game. I’m sure teams will call me and ask me questions.”
Johnson said getting drafted is a goal he set in high school.
“I told myself I’m going to high school and play varsity as a sophomore and I did that. I told myself I’m going to earn a Division I offer and I did that.
“It’s really about setting goals and knocking them down. It came down wanting to go to the NFL when I got into college. It was another thing I wrote down and another thing I’m crossing off my list. It was just something I told myself what I was going to do and God has been blessing me to do it.”
