Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
PROVO — BYU's cornerback room is chock full of uncommon athleticism relative to most years, and it's not really even close.
Consider sophomore Marcus McKenzie (5-foot-11, 185 pounds), who ran a 10.55 100-meter time while in high school, along with junior Mory Bamba (6-3, 195), who also claims a 10.5 100-meter time of his own.
All stellar times, sure, but according to sophomore Evan Johnson, neither McKenzie or Bamba, or anyone else on the team for that matter, can catch him.
When asked if he was the fastest player on the team, Johnson had a big grin, stating: "There's no doubt; there's no question."
Johnson claims a 10.41 100-meter time coming out of Monterey, California, where he starred on the basketball court, in track and on the gridiron before arriving at BYU in 2022. He joined the team beginning literally from scratch in learning the nuances of the cornerback position.
"I didn't touch defense once in high school, actually, which is really unique," Johnson said. "(Coach Jernaro Gilford) just saw my track times and my ability to go get the ball, so I made the switch and there's no going back now."
Johnson arrived in Provo with some notable football acumen, however, which has helped his transition to his new position. His father, Ron, played wide receiver in the NFL for a few years — most notably with the Philadelphia Eagles — while his older brother, Wesley, currently coaches at BYU as a defensive graduate assistant.
"I've been around football my whole life," Johnson said. "My dad played in the NFL, so growing up football has always been in my life. … Football is now my calling and that's what it's down to now."
POTD: Things are heating up in the CB room!
— Benjamin Criddle (@CriddleBenjamin) August 12, 2024
Who's your favorite CB to start opposite Jakob Robinson and why?
(I think we will see all these guys play this year btw)
Battling for a starting spot
According to Johnson, he's been rotating with Bamba with the first-team defense during most practice sessions this fall, playing opposite of assumed starter Jakob Robinson. A lot of it is due to a newfound swagger in playing cornerback that's approaching the same level of confidence he holds in beating anyone on the team in a sprint.
"In spring, I was progressing a little bit, but the biggest thing was my dad telling me that 'I got it,'" Johnson said. "I'm finding that confidence and that swagger. Sometimes when you come out of high school, and you're not playing right out of the gate, you begin (to doubt yourself.) So a big thing for me was proving that I can play."
Becoming a Cougar
Fortunately for Johnson, BYU cornerbacks coach Jenaro Gilford has long held the belief that the otherwise lightly-recruited Johnson could play at the collegiate level, offering him a scholarship largely based on his athletic pedigree.
With Gilford, whom players commonly refer to as 'Coach G,' at the helm, the BYU cornerback room has developed a strong unity that ultimately fits in well with BYU's unique environment, as a whole.
"The culture; that was a big thing for me, and another thing was Coach G," Johnson said of why he chose to sign with BYU. "He just welcomed everyone with open arms and showed me that he wanted me and really cared. And just seeing the program over the years and what they've done — that was a big thing."
As Johnson begins his third season with the Cougars, many of his prior inclinations have been validated.
"I love it out here. I've made some of my best friends for life," Johnson said. "All of it has helped me find a better me."
Stacking up the competition
Under defensive coordinator Jay Hill, BYU largely employed a base nickel defensive formation last season, which employs three cornerbacks, with Robinson the lone returning starter on this year's team.
While Robinson played at outside corner last season, there exists the possibility that he'll see a lot of time playing at slot corner, effectively working to replace Eddie Heckard.
Other slot corner candidates comprise primarily of both junior Micah Harper (5-10, 195) and freshman Jonathan Kabeya (5-10, 173), with sophomore Preston Rex (6-0, 195) standing as another option.
If Johnson is to see significant playing time this season, it will be at one of the two outside corner positions, and his opportunity opens quite a bit should coaches opt to employ Robinson primarily at the inside position.
While Johnson and Bamba stand as the two primary options currently, Weber State transfer Marque Collins (5-11, 175) could certainly work his way into the mix should he prove healthy after missing the entirety of spring with injury. Collins has been limited due to an injury this fall, but coaches are hopeful he'll prove to be at full speed at the start of the season.
Other options at cornerback include the aforementioned speedster McKenzie, who was a standout as a gunner on kick and punt coverage last season, along with true freshman Therrian Alexander (6-2, 170), who showed well during the spring practice session.
