The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/157974
Dontae Moving Down When the previous coaching staff first approached Johnson about moving from safety to nickel back, he saw it as a way to get on the field despite the presence of an outstanding and experienced safety duo in Earl Wolff and Brandan Bishop, both of whom are now in NFL training camps. He had no quarrels making the move permanent the following year, even though he had never played corner before his time at NC State. "Honestly, moving was a shock to me, but the coaches trusted me to move because I'm athletic enough to play the position," Johnson said. "I just wanted to help the team win." Johnson's athletic ability and size served him well at his new home, and he settled in quickly, although McNutt said Johnson's unique skill set would allow him to play anywhere in the defensive backfield. Despite his inexperience at corner, the former safety is a grizzled veteran compared to the three starters who will surround him in the secondary this fall. Redshirt sophomore cornerback Juston Burris played extensively in the nickel package and pulled down three interceptions in 2012, but Byrd and fellow safety Hakim Jones are expected to see significant action for the first time in their respective careers. That doesn't mean the elder statesman lacks for confidence in his group. "I really feel comfortable with Jarvis and Hakim coming in and playing right away," Johnson said. "Jarvis was a corner, but he hasn't played due to injury and he has a chip on his shoulder to prove that he's capable of playing. By switching from corner to safety, I feel that's really going to help him a lot in the coverage aspect. He's really physical already and that's going to be huge." Trial (And Success) By Fire Johnson may have only one year of experience as a full-time cornerback, but he has no doubt in his own abilities, either. He acclimated himself well as a first-time nickel back in 2010, when he totaled 30 tackles, including a trio of sacks over the final four games, and he continued the rapid improvements last season. He has played several different positions during his collegiate career, but that has only aided the veteran of 16 starts in learning and understanding defensive schemes. "It's kind of tough, but it's just one of those things where I just have to keep at it in the film room, studying the playbook and asking a lot of questions when I don't understand things," he said. "I understand "He's a senior, he has game experience and he's a leader for the whole group. He's another coach on the field and he helps us out tremendously. He provides confidence and experience to the unit." ■ Cornerbacks coach Richard McNutt on Johnson the defense a lot better by knowing it from different positions. I'll know where my help is going to be and it allows me to play a lot faster. "I've sensed I'll be moving around again this year. Whatever it takes for me to help this team win, I'm willing to do, whether it's me playing nickel or outside." Johnson admits that moving closer to the line of scrimmage sped the game up significantly, especially in the beginning when the learning curve was the steepest, but the senior has never been one to back down from a challenge. Last year, he was tasked with shutting down Wake Forest receiver Michael Campanaro, and he aced the difficult test during a 37-6 win. The small and shifty pass catcher led the ACC and ranked eighth nationally with an average of 7.9 receptions per game, but was limited to five catches for just 14 yards on that day. Johnson is now ready for the challenge of facing No. 1 options on a weekly basis, which he noted will require great attention to detail and flawless technique this fall. "I welcomed the challenge during the offseason by training harder and getting ready for that jump in competition — covering dynamic receivers that are talented and are the best receivers on the opposing team," he said. "I'm really looking forward to it. "That's what you play the game for, to compete and see at the end of the day who comes out with a victory. It's great to see different athletes across the ACC, and when we get on the field, it's a competition. I love it." The corner is also taking on the task of emerging as a leader for the entire defense. Doeren admits that Johnson is not a really vocal guy by nature, but he's still more than capable of leading the troops. "He's a guy that shows up, does his job, does it really well and handles himself off the field in the right way," the coach said. "I don't care what position you are, if you do your job, you always do what the coaches ask and more, people are going to respect you and we're going to be able to use that guy in a lot of ways. "Everything you want a player to be like is what he does." Motivated For More The lanky former safety paired with David Amerson to form the tallest starting cornerback duo in the country last season, and he'll be a part of another twin tower combination when he lines up opposite of Burris, who is 6-1, this season. The results didn't always meet expectations in 2012, and outside prospects might be lowered this fall when coupled with the Pack's coaching transition, but Johnson and his teammates are using the doubts as fuel this fall. "It definitely gives you motivation just to go out there and re-identify yourself as a football team," he said. "People are looking at it and saying, 'They just lost their coach, this is probably a rebuilding year,' and we're taking that as a chip on our shoulder. We want to go out there and prove people wrong. "With it being Coach Doeren's first year here, I'm trying to be one of the leaders to get the ball rolling. I really take pride in my university, so I put a lot of pressure on myself to make sure we're great this year and we get the fight back into NC State football, so we can give the fans what they deserve." ■ Last season, Johnson finished with 80 tackles, including 4.5 for loss and one sack, and totaled four passes broken up while starting every game. photo by ken martin 28 ■ the wolfpacker 26-28.Dontae Johnson.indd 28 8/23/13 2:50 PM