AMES - Seth Johnson has spent the offseason building himself into exactly the kind of defensive back Iowa State wants on the field.
He’s bigger now, more comfortable and, by his own expectation, overdue for a turnover. The Iowa State cornerback intercepted four passes in high school and returned two for touchdowns, but he didn’t record a pick last season at Montana State. That’s not sitting well with him.
“I gotta go get it, you know?” said Johnson, who’s officially gained 19 pounds since starting five games last season for the FCS national champion Bobcats. “So whenever I’m studying film, I’m looking at the offense’s tendencies, you know, being able to play with anticipation so I can break on the ball and get me one.”
The goal, though, isn’t just one. Johnson left the door open for a bigger haul after spending the offseason adding weight and muscle. He’s officially up 19 pounds from the start of last season to the middle of fall camp, and he said the gains have kept coming since he committed to head coach Jimmy Rogers’ Cyclones in January.
“I came in here at 170, been able to put on 15 pounds,” said Johnson, who is expected to help out at nickel as well as corner this season. “(I’m) able to play with more confidence (and be) more aggressive. I feel like it’s been great.”
That kind of flexibility matters for an Iowa State cornerback room that’s still taking shape. The group includes transfers, true freshmen and holdovers from the Matt Campbell era, with David Coffey and converted wide receiver Beni Ngoyi among the players working to secure top reps. Johnson, Arkansas transfer Jaheim Singletary and Bowling Green transfer Keyon Washington are all in the mix for playing time at corner, too.
“If you’re a perceived starter, you can’t relax because the next guy is pushing it,” ISU cornerbacks coach Mike Banks said. “Your next guy is pushing and pushing and pushing, so I want to build that competitive depth where I really don’t care who goes in a game, right? So if we need to sub guys in and out, we feel comfortable and confident enough with the guys that are going in.”
Coffey and Ngoyi have both had to adapt to defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbit’s hybrid 4-2-5 and 4-3-4 looks, and Banks said they’ve handled the adjustment well. Ngoyi’s path has been tougher because of the earlier position switch, but the coach said he’s making steady progress.
“The biggest thing with Beni is he’s starting to become more consistent on a daily basis,” Banks said. “From a technique standpoint, from a communication standpoint, he’s in the right spots all the time now. That was (his) biggest hurdle.”
Johnson has already shown he can handle that kind of versatility. He can line up in the slot as a nickel or play outside at corner, and he’s been able to move between those roles without much trouble. Last season for the Bobcats, he finished with 28 tackles and forced a fumble.
“I feel like I’m very, very smart,” said Johnson. “I feel like I understand football, whether it’s splits, formations, what the offense is trying to do. And then just being able to take that, whether I’m in the slot or outside.”
Now the next step is the one he’s been waiting on. Johnson believes the interception numbers are about to show up, and he didn’t shy away from putting a target on it.
“I’m thinking I’ll get one this year,” said Johnson.
Then he made the expectation even clearer.
“Multiple,” he added with emphasis.
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