A blazing 40 time and one of the best broad jumps at the position has Johnson turning heads

UH's Johnson continues to impress, grow as cornerback

Cody Stoots
Mar 4, 2019, 2:26 pm
Isaiah Johnson went from catching passes to defending them. Getty Images.

"I feel like it's more complex in the mind too. For me, I like beating people mentally before physically."

Isaiah Johnson used to play wide receiver for the Houston Cougars and halfway through his career he found his true football calling. Switching from catching passes to defending them, Johnson sets his sights and mind on the NFL.

"I personally like corner better," Johnson said at the NFL Scouting Combine over the weekend. "You know everybody has their different likes. For me, corner is better because I like to compete and I feel like it's more fun to stop somebody from doing something they want to do rather than me just going and trying to do something."

All he does is dissect film. He takes it home with him on his tablet. Even makes a special trip to the football facility to watch it on the big screen. He enjoys it and knows it is a necessity.

"I was a big film study guy," he said. "So I studied formations studied route concepts - studied what people do and how they like to do it and that was a big thing for me especially in the fast conference that we had to you have to dissect and learn so fast what other people are doing to get a jump on it. I had to study and make sure I knew they were going to do before it happened."

Don't let the smarts fool you, he isn't all brains. Standing six feet two inches tall and weighing in at 208 pounds Johnson skews towards the high end of height-weight at the position. Teams like his physical stature.

"They love my length," he said. "They love my ability to come up and tackle. They love my ability to cover."

He's not through growing at corner either.

"Just because I played the position for two years they know I have a higher ceiling than where I'm at right now. They feel like I can fit into multiple schemes. They just really want to see what I can do and see my max potential that way they know how I fit in their scheme."

While the NFL career is just starting, the 2018 Human Resources and Development major already knows what he'd like to do when he finishes up beating NFL wideouts physically and mentally.

""Actually after doing this and just experiencing the real world and seeing how things are I'd rather get into coaching," he said. "Just to affect the future generation try to help them find the love for the game all over again."

We know coach Johnson is going to be a great one in the film room.

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Staying with the Coogs

5 quick thoughts on Kelvin Sampson's new deal with UH

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UH basketball coach Kelvin Sampson, fresh off a Sweet 16 appearance with the Cougars, agreed to a contract extension to stay with the team. The deal is reportedly six years for $18 million.

Despite rumors of a possible move to Arkansas, the final result was almost a certainty. A look at five reasons why the deal got done:

1) Family first

Sampson's family has become a big part of the program. His daughter works for the school. His son, Kellen, is an assistant coach at the school and will be named head coach in waiting. That does not mean he will be the next coach. His name has come up for head coaching jobs in the past, and he could easily get an opportunity before his father retires. The younger Sampson is very well respected. For now, however, the band is being kept together.

2) Age

At 63, Sampson might not have another rebuild in him. He will be almost 70 when the contract expires. Is there a chance he still leaves at some point? Absolutely. But the reality is a move at this stage does not make a lot of sense. He likes it at UH, he has brand spanking new facilities to play in, and now he is being compensated at a high level.

3) The future

Sampson has proven he can compete for Final Fours at Houston, and he will have a terrific team returning next season. Yes, he loses starting guards Corey Davis Jr. and Galen Robinson, Jr., but there are players waiting in the wings who will continue to develop under Sampson. Armani Brooks returns, and Dejon Jarreau should take on a bigger role. Nate Hinton was a highly regarded recruit who should improve. Incoming guard Caleb Mills comes with a ton of hype. Sampson has already called him the best offensive player he has recruited to Houston. Next year should be another good one.

4) UH is serious

The Cougars are not afraid to spend money. They gave a big deal to Dana Holgorsen to boost the football program, and now Sampson is being paid like an elite coach. They have a new football stadium and the revamped Fertitta Center, plus practice facilities that would make a lot of bigger schools jealous. The school wants to win and Sampson has the support he needs.

5) Different world

Sampson's path to a title might be just as strong at Houston as it is at an SEC school. NCAA hoops is not always dominated by the big conferences, and the ACC is not a bad group. Besides UH, UCF has built both its football and basketball programs into powerhouses. Memphis has a top recruiting class coming in. Previous powers Wichita State and UConn have excellent traditions. Cincinnati is a year-in, year-out tourney team. The Cougars can win in this conference and win big. Meanwhile, Sampson's staying also boosts the quality of basketball in the state. Chris Beard is in the Final Four with Tech. A&M just added a world-class coach in Buzz Williams. Baylor is a perennial tournament team. Jamie Dixon had TCU competitive but appears to be leaving for UCLA. Even with that, the state of Texas now boosts three high-profile coaches and the future looks bright.

Especially for Sampson and UH.

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