Leonard Johnson Scouting Report CB Iowa State Cyclones

This is our Leonard Johnson Scouting report. Johnson is a cornerback for the Iowa State Cyclones who really started to get attention when Iowa State upset Oklahoma State on November 18th. Johnson held Blackmon to under a 100 yards receiving (99) and 1 touchdown.

He’s a bit shorter than ideal, but has a really thick build.

For all of our other scouting reports go to our scouting report page

Measurables

5’10” 196 pounds

4.71 40 yard dash, 28 3/4″ arms, 8″ hands, 15 bench press reps

Stats:

2011:

2010:

Pros:

Does a good job of jamming the wide receiver at the line to re-route him,…Really solid technique, especially coming from a smaller school…good body control and makes a lot of plays on the football, though his hands could be better…fluid hips..and a plus open field tackler…really uses the sideline to his advantage well to force smaller windows for the QB…willing tackler in the open field….competitive…durable hasn’t missed any games due to injuries , even though he was carted off the field one game he returned the next game…thick built..has some kick return ability

Cons:

Shorter than ideal height…does not have elite straight line speed…Needs a lot of improvement in the run game in both terms of getting off blocks from wide receivers and tackling…

Sayre’s initial scouting report:

Johnson is a Thorpe Award watch list cornerback prospect who has been an All Big 12 performer and even a first team All American as a freshman as a return specialist. Johnson is sort of stuck somewhere in the middle in terms of the best cornerbacks in the class of 2012, but he’s certainly not your typical prospect in that regard as this is a very deep year for cornerbacks and he is certainly one of the best in the nation. He has good size, and his school biography calls him the best cover man Iowa State has had in recent memory, which may or may not be saying a lot–I put some real stock into that statement. He has been a starter since he was a freshman, and has totaled 175 tackles, five interceptions, and 18 pass breakups. There are not a lot of people who talk about this guy, but he could certainly be a gem in next year’s draft, as he can contribute in a variety of ways as well as develop into a starting cornerback in the NFL.

Round Projection:

Johnson is a senior and will get another opportunity to showcase his abilities during the post-season All Star Games where he has a chance to shoot his draft stock up, if he is as impressive as he was against Justin Blackmon he could end up going in the second or third round. Right now he’s probably an early third day pick.

Thoughts from others

In this section I’ll include some thoughts via twitter or links to other scouting reports to give you a more comprehensive view of a prospect:

Just talked with Justin Blackmon – had nothing but praise for ISU CB Leonard Johnson. “Most physical CB I’ve played this year.”

Wes Bunting:

Impression: A well-built kid lacking ideal height, but plays fast and I like his footwork and balance. Isn’t a dynamic athlete, but can play some press and off coverage, and looks capable of getting playing time both on the outside and in the slot at the next level.

bio

Awards and Honors
Jim Thorpe Watch List (Jim Thorpe Association nation’s most outstanding defensive back) … Phil Steele’s College Football Preview 2011 Preseason Second-Team All-Big 12 … Athlon Sports 2011 College Football Preview First-Team All-Big 12 … Lindy’s Sports 2011 College Football Preview Second-Team All-Big 12 … 2010 Second-team All-Big 12 (coaches) … 2008 Rivals.com Freshman All-American … Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week (Nov. 1, 2008).

2010
An All-Big 12 corner and the best cover man Iowa State has fielded in recent memory … has started since his freshman season, accruing 175 career tackles with five interceptions and 18 pass breakups … is additionally proficient against the run, having forced and recovered five fumbles … had six tackles and an interception at Texas  … collected career-high 11 tackles at Oklahoma … made seven tackles against Utah … made six tackles against Northern Illinois, Kansas State and Texas Tech … fourth on the all-time ISU kickoff return charts, averaging 24.62 yards on 58 returns.

Video:

To be posted when it becomes available