Five most important Texas Tech defenders

No. 2 – Safety Jah’Shawn Johnson

While Justus Parker is the author of the spectacular, safety Jah’Shawn Johnson is the steadying force at the back of the defense.  Johnson has quietly put together one of the most productive careers in program history and he is primed for a huge senior season in 2018.

Johnson is not as big as most star safeties, just 5-foot-10, 180-pounds, but he is one of the hardest-hitting and most reliable tacklers in the Big 12.  He enters the year with 254 career tackles to go along with five interceptions and five forced fumbles.  His 97 tackles in 2017 were a career best and second-most on the team.

Plus, he is the quarterback of the secondary making all of the calls and putting his teammates in the right position.  That is where it is a luxury to have a four-year starter leading your defense.

And while Red Raider fans have known of Johnson’s greatness for years, it appears that the nation is also starting to become aware.  Johnson is one of 35 players named to the Thorpe Award watch list give to the nation’s best defensive back.

And 2018 could be the perfect season for David Gibbs to have Jah’Shawn Johnson anchoring his secondary.  This offseason, Gibbs replaced both his defensive backs coach and his safeties coach so Johnson’s veteran presence would help bridge the gap and help be a steadying voice in the face of change.

Texas Tech fans would be wise to appreciate Jah’Shawn Johnson this season.  He is one of the best safeties the program has produced in years and he will be missed once he is gone.