Image Credit: The Washington Post

2012 Statistics: 43 tackles (32 solo, 11 assisted), 3.58 tackles/game; 5.0 TFL, 30 yards; 0 INT, 0 yards, 0 TDs

Shutdown cornerbacks are few and far between nowadays. Fans are more impressed with the big hitter or the interception wizard. Those are the guys people pay attention to, and are the guys who get the spotlight. But lost in all of that is the importance of a player who can match up one-on-one with the opposing team’s best wide receiver and shut him down all game long. Champ Bailey is the best example of a shutdown corner in the NFL, and Jeremiah Johnson is becoming one of the best shutdown corners in the ACC, and perhaps in the entire country.

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Coming out of Suitland High School in Suitland, MD, Johnson was ranked as a 3-star cornerback and was recruited by former Maryland assistant coach James Franklin. But Maryland polished him up and he became one of the Terps’ best defenders last season as just a sophomore. Luckily for Maryland, they get two more years of shutdown work from Johnson, who is entering his redshirt junior season in College Park.

It is yet to be seen who will be the Terps’ number one cornerback in 2013, but regardless of whoever wins that job, there will be two very, very talented cornerbacks playing on Saturday afternoons for the team from College Park. There’s definitely something to be said about playing in the same system for the second year in a row, and the defensive backfield should benefit from that. One thing is for sure: defensive coordinator Brian Stewart should be very happy with his cornerback situation for 2013.

In wrapping up this defensive back preview, I wanted to touch on the other cornerback who will play a big role in 2013: Isaac Goins. Goins transferred to Maryland last season from New Mexico, and was very crucial to the defense’s success. He played the key role of the Terps’ nickel-back last season, and was able to do very well in that role. On some teams in the ACC, he might be a starting cornerback. But due to the talent of McDougle and Johnson, Goins will be third on the cornerback depth chart again this season.

This will be a big season for McDougle and Goins, as they will graduate after this year. Jeremiah Johnson will be the team’s undisputed #1 cornerback in Maryland’s first season in the Big Ten, and there should be a big competition for that #2 spot. But this season, the Terps will have two shutdown corners on the field in Johnson and Goins, and a hard-hitting, strong tackler in McDougle. It should be a fun year to watch the Terps shutdown some of the better wideouts in the ACC.

Zack Kiesel
Zack Kiesel

Terps Analyst

Zack is a financial analyst for a defense contractor in Washington, DC. The Owings Mills native focuses most of his efforts on Maryland Football recruiting and individual coach and player pieces; but also covers Terps Basketball. He has established relationships with Big Ten beat reporters across the conference, which he utilizes in his game previews. Now a Sr. Terps Analyst for BSL, Zack can be reached at: [email protected].

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