After six rounds, the Los Angeles Rams finally addressed the inside linebacker position. In Round 7, at No. 234 overall, they drafted Clay Johnston from Baylor, adding some depth to one of the thinnest positions on the roster.
Johnston isn’t a household name by any means and he wasn’t a highly-touted prospect by many leading up to the draft, but he has a ton of production in college despite missing time due to injury.
Last season alone, he had 58 tackles and 2.5 sacks in only six games, and he finished his career with 237 total tackles.
Here are four things to know about the Rams’ newest linebacker.
He lost a chunk of his leg in a high school ATV accident
It’s gross, but it’s true. Johnston was in an ATV accident in high school and wound up losing a chunk of his leg as a result of the crash. It hasn’t seemed to impact him on the field, but it’s something he won’t forget.
Johnston missed his sophomore high school season after an ATV crash. His quote from the Waco Tribune: "I lost a chunk of my leg in an accident. I was driving about 50 mph & I hit a bump that took me out of the vehicle, and the frame slammed on my leg. I had to get a skin graft.”
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) April 25, 2020
He’s an outstanding run defender
The Rams’ run defense got an upgrade with Johnston coming to town. According to Pro Football Focus, he had the 31st-best run defense grade in all of college football last season. Not just linebackers, and not draft-eligible players, but all defenders.
Johnston’s aforementioned tackle numbers back up this statistic, too, so the Rams know they’re going to get a good tackler and solid run defender.
#LARams selection Clay Johnston was a stout run stopper in 2019
His 90.2 Run Defensive Grade ranked T-31st among ALL defenders last year (min. 300 snaps) pic.twitter.com/aCEuVHhtn7
— PFF LA Rams (@PFF_Rams) April 25, 2020
His dad was an NFL strength coach
Johnston’s bloodlines ooze athleticism. His dad, Kent, was an NFL strength coach for more than 20 years, spending time with the Chargers and Browns.
Coincidentally, Eric Weddle also worked out with Johnston thanks to his ties to the Chargers, and says he’s going to make the team with the Rams.
Clay Johnston's father, Kent, was NFL strength and conditioning coach for more than two decades, including with Chargers.
— Gary Klein (@LATimesklein) April 25, 2020
When he was in HS he would work out with us in SD. His dad was our strength coach. Great guy. Will make the team, mark my words.
— Eric Weddle (@weddlesbeard) April 25, 2020
Brett Favre called him a sleeper
As if Weddle’s high praise wasn’t enough, Johnston also received a vote of confidence from Brett Favre, who called him a sleeper. On the NFL’s Draft-A-Thon stream, Favre told everyone to remember Johnston’s name.
“Clay Johnston. Remember that name.”
Two nights ago, @BrettFavre shared his sleeper pick of the #NFLDraft. That sleeper is now a member of the @RamsNFL 🙌 @C_Johnston4 @BUFootball #DraftAThon pic.twitter.com/m2YLSJZgWJ
— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2020