Tag: Clay Johnston

Watch: Rams scout highlights Clay Johnston’s explosion, intelligence pre-draft

Clay Johnston is a smart player, but he also has some explosiveness to his game.

The Los Angeles Rams made it clear this offseason that inside linebacker isn’t a premium position on defense. After losing Cory Littleton, the team didn’t add a single linebacker in free agency and waited until the seventh round to select one in the draft.

That player was Clay Johnston out of Baylor, who the Rams grabbed at No. 234 overall. Johnston is coming off a torn ACL suffered in October, which undoubtedly hurt his draft stock. He was limited to just six games in 2019, but still managed to earn second-team All-Big 12 honors.

Johnston has quickly become known among Rams fans for his intensity and passion for football, but the Rams like his potential as a linebacker. In a video shared by the team, linebacker and defensive line scout Steve Kazor raved about his explosiveness and intelligence on the field.

“I think what you see is that explosion. He’s an intense player, I think he’s very smart. The coaches told me he could play every position – knows every position on the defense. This guy, they say he doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke, doesn’t do anything. He just loves football,” Kazor said.

“This guy can run, he can diagnose plays, he can drop into coverage, he does a good job taking on blockers, slipping blockers and he’s a good tackler. So I think he’ll be a good asset on special teams, as well as playing wherever spot they decide to play him.”

Johnston was a tackling machine at Baylor, racking up 157 tackles in his last 17 games played for the Bears. He also has a knack for making stops behind the line of scrimmage, wrapping up ball carriers for 26.5 tackles for loss in his four-year career.

Johnston fits best as a Mike linebacker in the Rams’ scheme where he can focus on stopping the run, but he also showed the ability to cover in college, which is very important in today’s pass-first NFL.

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Clay Johnston says his biggest strengths are hit power and football IQ

Clay Johnston brings a ton of energy to the defense.

Clay Johnston didn’t get much attention on the national landscape when the Los Angeles Rams drafted him in the seventh round. But among Rams fans and those close to the organization, there was a lot of excitement about the pick – in part because of the energy Johnston brought to the phone call after the Rams drafted him.

Johnston’s draft stock was hurt by the fact that he tore his ACL in October, but there are a lot of reasons to feel good about this selection. In just six games for Baylor last season, Johnston still had 58 tackles and 2.5 sacks, as well as eight tackles for loss and an interception. He was named second-team All-Big 12 despite missing most of the season, which is an indicator of how well he played in limited action.

Johnston may not be the fastest or most athletic linebacker, but he’s a smart player who’s great against the run. Two of Johnston’s biggest strengths, according to the linebacker himself, are his hit power and intelligence on the field.

“I think I can bring the punch if I get a good read on the play. I think I can bring some power when I hit someone, honestly, so I think that’s a decent trait,” Johnston said in a recent interview. “But I think I’m smart on the field, more than anything. I think with the help of coaches and them teaching me all the schematics, I think I can apply that – that would bear its fruit out on the field. I think that’s a strong trait of mine.”

Johnston only forced one fumble in his college career, but he’s like a heat-seeking missile in the middle of the field, showing good range and instincts after the snap. Take a look at some of these plays he made in just one game.

Johnston will first have to make the team before he can make an impact on defense, but with the Rams lacking proven talent at linebacker currently, Johnston has a great chance to be on the roster in Week 1.

As long as he’s healthy, Johnston will be a player to watch at linebacker in 2020.

Clay Johnston’s connection to Brett Favre goes back a long time

Clay Johnston’s dad was the best man at Brett Favre’s wedding.

The Los Angeles Rams do a lot of background work on prospects leading up to the draft, putting a big emphasis on a player’s character and leadership traits. They find out any past troubles and accolades, while also contacting coaches to get their opinions on their former players.

When they looked into Clay Johnston, they probably found a connection to Brett Favre. Johnston went to Baylor and on the surface, it might be hard to see how his path crossed with Favre. However, it goes back to Johnston’s father, Kent, who’s good friends with Favre.

In fact, he’s such good friends with the Hall of Fame quarterback that he was the best man at Favre’s wedding.

Kent Johnston was a strength coach for 24 years in the NFL, including a stint with the Packers – which is where he grew close with Favre.

“My dad was really tight with him,” Clay Johnston said at the Scouting Combine, via Sports Illustrated. “He was his best man in his wedding so they became really good buddies. We were at his house a couple weeks ago, just hanging out in Mississippi. He’s awesome. He’s such a real dude. He’s so country. I love the guy.”

Favre called Johnston a sleeper in the 2020 draft before he was selected by the Rams, and shared a video of the Baylor linebacker’s reaction after getting the call from Les Snead and Sean McVay when he was drafted.

Favre knows Johnston’s game well and has known him off the field since he was a baby.

“I’ve got a picture of Brett Favre holding Clay like a football, acting like he was fixing to throw him,” Kent Johnston said to the Waco Tribune-Herald.

Johnston looks up to Favre and his jersey numbers at Baylor reflect that. He initially wore No. 44 with the Bears before switching to No. 4 as a senior in 2019 – an obvious testament to Favre’s iconic number with the Packers.

Being the son of a former NFL strength coach certainly helps Johnston’s chances of making it as a football player, being around the game since he was a little kid. He’s also worked out with the likes of Eric Weddle and Manti Te’o, who were with the Chargers while Kent Johnston was the strength coach.

Johnston still has an uphill climb to succeeding at the next level, especially as a rookie. He’s coming off a torn ACL, which he suffered in October, and doesn’t have the benefit of OTAs and rookie minicamp like a rookie would in a typical year.

But based on the way he reacted to being drafted in the seventh round, he’s going to do everything possible to make the team this fall.

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Watch Clay Johnston’s priceless reaction to being drafted: Ready to ‘play my nuts off’

Clay Johnston had one of the best reactions to being drafted that you’ll see.

“I have never experienced a call like that in my life. I was starting fade a little bit in the seventh-round and this guy gave me a shot of adrenaline that I felt like I was going to put my head through a wall.”

That’s what Sean McVay said in reference to his call with linebacker Clay Johnston, sharing the news that the Rams were selecting him with the 234th overall pick in the draft. If you’re wondering why McVay was ready to put his head through a wall, this video will give you some context.

Brett Favre shared a clip of Johnston’s reaction to being selected by the Rams, answering the phone with absolute elation after getting the good news.

“No way, coach. I am down. Let’s go! Come on! Oh my gosh, I’m freaking stoked. This is unreal. Play my freaking nuts off,” Johnston said on the phone.

 

Johnston had another member of the Rams on the other line – presumably Les Snead – and he had a similar reaction.

“I’m freaking ready to go! Let’s freaking go! Play my nuts off,” Johnston said again.

It’s unclear if Favre took this video himself or if he simply shared it, but he does have a connection to Johnston. Johnston’s dad, Kent, was a strength coach in the NFL for 20 years, including the 1997 season with the Packers when Favre was the quarterback.

Favre and Kent Johnston grew close, and Johnston was even the best man at the Packers QB’s wedding.

It took a while for the initial high of being drafted to wear off for the Baylor linebacker as he had trouble finding the words to describe the moment during a conference call with reporters afterwards.

At the start of the draft, Johnston shared a photo on Instagram of every NFL team’s linebacker depth chart, giving him an idea of which teams could give him a shot. He also listed the top linebackers in the draft, so he could figure out how many players were still left on the board.

 

Johnston brings unmatched intensity to the locker room, which carries over to the field, too. He plays like his hair is on fire, flying to the football and consistently wrapping up ball carriers. It’s the type of player the Rams need in the middle of their defense, which is lacking linebacker talent at the moment.

If nothing else, Johnston will be an elite hype man on the sidelines during games.

Sean McVay was ready to ‘run through a wall’ after Clay Johnston pick

Clay Johnston’s post-draft call with the media was epic.

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If the Rams ever need a boost in morale, new linebacker Clay Johnston will be happy to provide it. The rookie seventh-round pick couldn’t contain his excitement after being drafted by the Rams on Saturday, and it was apparently contagious.

After the Rams made the pick and called up the former Baylor linebacker, McVay was ready to run through a wall.

If you’re wondering what kind of person Johnston is on and off the field, this video clip will give you a glimpse. He’s as fiery as they come, oozing intensity even when he’s not between the white lines of a football field.

On his conference call with Rams media members, Johnston was elated that he was drafted by Los Angeles.

“Ah, come on bro, yeah,” he said. “I’m hyperventilating. I wanted to get under the squat rack, wanted to get some pads on. I’m freaking stoked.”

He repeatedly said how excited he was, and even made up a story about putting on pads and running through his front door – for dramatic effect, of course.

Here’s how the exchange went.

“When I got a call and they said, ‘Do you want to be a Ram?’ I said, ‘By God, I want to be a Ram, let’s freaking go.'” he said. “I screamed and everyone was screaming, going nuts in here. Instantly put some pads on, ran through our front door, broke the windshield, it was awesome.”

Reporter: Is that true?

“No, not at all. Totally fictional, I just had to say that,” he joked. “The way I feel right now, I don’t blame you for asking that because I’m about to run through the door right in front of me right now.”

Johnston concluded the call by once again expressing his excitement for being a member of the Rams – even after having to wait until the seventh round to hear his name called.

“I’ve never been this excited in my life. This is the most excited I’ve ever been,” he said.

I think we already know who will be one of the most popular rookies in the locker room next season.

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4 things to know about Rams LB Clay Johnston

Clay Johnston has connections with Eric Weddle thanks to his dad.

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.

 

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.

 

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.

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.

2020 NFL draft: The Panthers Wire dueling mock drafts edition

Then vote at the end for which mock you like best.

Self-quarantining may be a bummer, but some of the online content that’s emerged as a result has been pure gold. Perhaps the most notable comes courtesy of the music industry’s biggest names, who have taken to Instagram Live to go head-to-head in some heated beat battles. We’ve seen Timbaland vs. Swizz Beatz, Lil’ Jon vs. T-Pain and Scott Storch vs. Mannie Fresh, to name a few.

For our latest 2020 mock draft, we decided to follow their example and put out a mock draft battle between two of our Panthers Wire contributors: five-year veteran Anthony Rizzuti and the up-and-coming rookie Erik Williams.

Read on to take a look at their mock picks, conducted via the PFF Draft Simulator, to see how they ran their respective drafts for the Panthers. Then vote at the end for which mock you like best.

Round 1: pick No. 7 overall

Rizzuti: Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson

Carolina’s new head coach Matt Rhule places a premium on athleticism and versatility and there’s no player in this draft on either side of the ball who has a better combination of both.

Simmons’ blend of tools – particularly his physical abilities and natural feel for the game – have earned him a variety of reps as a linebacker, edge, both safety spots, outsite corner and even some slot corner. He’d make for an ideal fit for the positionless prototype being brought in by Rhule and defensive coordinator Phil Snow.

Whether you see him as Luke Kuechly’s heir apparent or as a Derwin James-like playmaker, it doesn’t really matter seeing as the team has needs at practically every single position on defense. Simmons offers depth at most of them.

Williams: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

This has been a popular mock pick this year, but Brown is simply too good to pass on, here. The Panthers get the best player available in one of their greatest areas of need: the interior of the defensive line.

Brown’s draft stock has taken a bit of a hit following his sub-par combine performance, but he is still considered by most to be the best defensive tackle in this class, if not a close No. 2 behind South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw.

Brown plays with unbelievable strength and explosiveness, tremendous gap penetration ability, and a motor that never stops. He is exactly the kind of prototype player Rhule wants to work with, and he can start right away.

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