When the term “most important” is given when describing a ranking of one player over another, it does not necessarily describe who the best players are on a team. Instead, it tells us the main or most important part of the team, without which it cannot really exist.
In other words, could Clemson have reached the College Football Playoff Championship Game last year without Deshaun Watson? And would they have had him there had those other “important” players had not been in place either.
Who are Clemson’s “Most Important Players” for 2016? We at The Clemson Insider have our own ideas, and today we reveal who is No. 5.
Jadar Johnson
Why is Johnson so important to Clemson’s overall success this year? Despite his 231 snaps in 2015, he is the most experienced safety the Tigers have. Despite his limited playing time, the strong safety has lettered in each of his first three seasons at Clemson.
Johnson did not get on the field his first three years because guys like Robert Smith, Jayron Kearse and T.J. Green played in front of him. All three are currently on NFL rosters.
At 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, Johnson is expected to be a leader in the Tigers’ last line of defense. Sophomore Van Smith is listed as the starter at free safety. He played sparingly in 2015 as well. Utility man Ryan Carter is listed as Johnson’s backup, while redshirt freshman Tanner Muse is Smith’s backup.
“Everyone is playing well,” Johnson said recently. “Van Smith is looking excellent. I have never seen such a young player come in and just grasp it like that. Van looks real good and Ryan Carter looks amazing. He has been playing some corner and safety, and he has been looking good at both positions.”
Last year, Johnson tallied 16 tackles, had one interception and one pass broken up. He played in all 15 games, including three starts on special teams.
Johnson had two interceptions in 2014 as he played in all 13 games and start one. He had 13 tackles and a sack to go along with the two picks.
He played in 11 games in 2013, while recording 12 tackles and one pass broken up.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney expects Johnson to be the next Kevin Dodd, who spent three years as a backup himself before becoming a second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft once he got his opportunity. Unlike Dodd, Johnson does not have a first-round draft choice, like Shaq Lawson, opposite of him demanding all the attention.
That puts a little more pressure on Johnson.
“I don’t think there is any added pressure. We have a lot of young guys, but those guys are real mature,” the senior said. “They are taking on the role that they need to take on and I just feel like they can step in and there won’t be any drop off.”
Time will tell.