03/24/2012 - NFL DRAFT SCOUT TOP DEFENSIVE BACKS: Leonard Johnson, Iowa State, 5-10, 196...After being ejected from a game for a late hit as a freshman, Johnson quickly matured into vocal and by-example team leader. He finished that season well enough to earn Freshman All-American honors as a kick returner (26.4-yard average) and has been a starting cornerback ever since. Johnson is a quick-twitch athlete with great speed the right attitude to play corner. His most dramatic performance was a key to Iowa State's upset victory over then No. 2-ranked Oklahoma State. His job was to cover two-time Biletnikoff Award winner Justin Blackmon, rated as the best receiver in this draft. Blackmon had one of his least productive games as Johnson held him to 99 yards receiving and snagged a big interception in the third quarter. At the combine, medics reportedly said there were no long-term effects of neck injury last October, but his unofficial 40 time of 4.71 seconds didn't do him any favors. Johnson's career numbers include 39 starts in 50 games, 247 tackles (eight for a loss) and six interceptions. He can help anybody immediately as a kickoff returner. - Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange
After being ejected from a game for a late hit as a freshman, Johnson quickly matured into vocal and by-example team leader. He finished that season well enough to earn Freshman All-American honors as a kick returner (26.4-yard average) and has been a starting cornerback ever since.
Johnson is a quick-twitch athlete with great speed the right attitude to play corner. His most dramatic performance was a key to Iowa State's upset victory over then No. 2-ranked Oklahoma State. His job was to cover two-time Biletnikoff Award winner Justin Blackmon, rated as the best receiver in this draft. Blackmon had one of his least productive games as Johnson held him to 99 yards receiving and snagged a big interception in the third quarter.
At the Combine, medics reportedly said there were no long-term effects of neck injury last October, however his unofficial 40-yard time of 4.71 seconds didn't do him any favors. Johnson's career numbers include 39 starts in 50 games, 247 tackles (eight for a loss) and six interceptions. He can help anybody immediately as a kickoff returner.
Analysis
Positives: Heady zone receiver who sticks to receivers on intermediate routes and has the speed to recover if rubbed on pick plays. Has the vertical to win jump balls but is more likely to knock the ball down than intercept. Tough enough to handle run support and play with leverage against the run.
Negatives: Overly physical and attracts officials' attention. Average ball skills and doesn't get his head around quickly in man coverage. Falls in love with laying the lumber and misses easy tackles, especially downfield.
