mgowin

January 28th, 2010 at 12:45 AM ^

I'm not sure about his speed, but hopefully Barwis can help that. He has really good awareness, which is something we have sorely missed as of late. I look forward to seeing this kid in the maize and blue.

WolvinLA2

January 28th, 2010 at 1:00 AM ^

I'm not trying to argue, but why exactly do you think he doesn't have good speed from this video? On all the run plays, he was quick to come up, and he was always in position on pass plays. It's a highlight video, so it's not like they're gonna show him getting burned, but he's also not a player that gets a chance to carry the ball often at all, do he can't show off his speed very much. I'd say this video does a good job of not showing his speed positively or negatively.

AKMuskie

January 28th, 2010 at 1:10 AM ^

Looks like Coach Rod has a good eye for talent. This kid is sincerely underrated. I'm glad that he's going to be Blue. Welcome to the family, Carvin.

Ghost of Bo

January 28th, 2010 at 3:13 AM ^

What I love about the kid (even more than his leaping and speed) is his tackling.

Look at his form - his head is almost always upfield of the ball carrier; he drops low, delivers a blow, and drives.

A Safety that can tackle can be a real asset - he's often the difference between a running back gaining eight yards and breaking free for eighty.

Welcome, Carvin!

BlackEvanDown

January 28th, 2010 at 8:18 AM ^

Completely agree with the tackling comment. Good CF, perfect form tackles, and pretty good instincts.

He is a little stiff and I noticed that on run support he does get sucked into the middle a bit. Solid reaction to make the tackles, but a better back could burn the corner and trap him.

Still, his potential looks better than any other deep safety M have on the roster right now.

touchdown chad henne

January 28th, 2010 at 6:02 AM ^

This Johnson kid looks like a mean dude. That bump that laid out the receiver on the long pass stood out to me.

Ferocity and mental gamesmanship are great attributes in a defensive back, and things you can't coach necessarily. You could sometimes see Donovan Warren jawing at the wide receiver after the play was over. He was good enough to do it, but it was still a factor in his success.

I'm excited. Thanks for posting this.

Victory Collins

January 28th, 2010 at 8:24 AM ^

...over our current scholarship DBs, that is for sure. He is a fundamentally sound tackler, as noted by Ghost of Bo. He knows how to protect the deep half of the field, which is something our safeties have struggled to do for several years now. And he plays under control and takes very good angles to the ball.

The best highlight for me was the one at about 37 seconds -- you can see him close to the line of scrimmage on the near side of the field, and then he ends up defending the deep pass on the opposite hash mark about 30 yards downfield. To me, this highlight shows how this is a kid who can read and react, and cover a lot of ground in a hurry.

hypomodern

January 28th, 2010 at 8:33 AM ^

...instinctual and natural free safety. Highlights, obviously, but they highlight him diagnosing plays, playing center field well, and really powering through his tackles.

He plays they way I hope to see safeties play! Rangy, confident, and punishing. Nice find, RR+co.

Don

January 28th, 2010 at 8:33 AM ^

After Carvin got the Michigan offer? According to Scout, he doesn't have an offer from LSU, or any other bigtime school than UM for that matter. I hope that The Hat doesn't snake oil him away at the last second.

B

January 28th, 2010 at 8:36 AM ^

And we know he is an upgrade over our current DB's based on a High School highlight tape? I'm sure Mike Williams had terrible high school film, which is why he was only a four star recruit. Johnson may end up being a solid player, but there is no way you can use this film to say he will be better than anyone we have on the roster. Time will tell.

Victory Collins

January 28th, 2010 at 8:52 AM ^

I think it is fair to draw the conclusion that the kid on this tape does not look like the type of kid who only stays 10 yards deep on a 3-24, and let's a TE run right by him on a seam route up the middle. The kid on the tape consistently stays or gets deep, and positions himself on the correct side of the downfield receiver (i.e., between that receiver and the end zone).

He also does not look like a kid that will get sucked into the middle of the field when his responsibility is to play contain on the QB. And who then compounds the error by repeating it over and over again. The kid on this tape played with discipline, and did not over commit in his pursuit or tackling.

Plus wheat's the fun in throwing up your hands and saying it is impossible to judge a player based on a highlight film? Of course that general point is valid, but isn't it more fun to try and read the tea leaves, and dream about better play from our back four in the near future? Especially this time of year?

Magnus

January 28th, 2010 at 8:56 AM ^

To go along with your point, Mike Williams had great high school film. He probably would have been very good at the position they recruited him for, which was slot corner (think Brandon Harrison in 2006-2007). Rodriguez and his staff have had a hard time figuring out what position he's best suited for.

colin

January 28th, 2010 at 11:17 AM ^

has anywhere near the qualifications to play SS next year? a true frosh safety is not an exciting prospect. it's gotta be Woolfolk playing center field in '10.

Crime Reporter

January 28th, 2010 at 11:15 AM ^

He looks like a player, and I love that picture of him looking utterly disgusted.

He made some impressive catches in that video, and he seems to have a nose for the ball. Me likes.

Magnus

January 28th, 2010 at 11:50 AM ^

I'd say Emilien would be the next best option, and one of the freshmen might be the next guy on the depth chart. But yeah, Woolfolk will almost certainly be the SS in 2010.