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SALT LAKE CITY — The best defensive backfield in the Pac-12 belongs to the University of Utah, or at least that’s according to a preseason watchlist released Monday.
Utah had two players, safety Julian Blackmon and cornerback Jaylon Johnson, named to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award watchlist, which is awarded to the best defensive back in the nation. The two standout defensive players highlight four members of the Pac-12 named to the preseason honor, including Washington’s Myles Bryant and Stanford’s Paulson Adebo.
Blackmon and Johnson both served as the team’s starting corners the last two seasons before Blackmon switched over to free safety in spring to fill the gap left by graduating players. That shift gives Utah a solid defender at safety to combat the pass-heavy offenses in the Pac-12.
Blackmon, a Layton, Utah, native, finished his junior season with 48 total tackles, including four tackles for loss, 10 pass breakups and one interception returned for a 27-yard touchdown.
Johnson, a Fresno, California, native, shined in his sophomore season at Utah as a lockdown defender and was the go-to corner to combat opposing team’s best receiver. In his sophomore season, Johnson finished with 41 total tackles, including two tackles for a loss; four interceptions, including a 100-yard interception against Stanford; four pass breakups; and one sack.
Last week, Johnson was also named to the Bednarik Award preseason watchlist, which is awarded to college’s Defensive Player of the Year.
