Quindell Johnson NFL Draft Overview
Position: Safety
Height: 6′-1″
Weight: 195 pounds
School: Memphis
2023 NFL Draft: Quindell Johnson Scouting Report
In 2018, Quindell Johnson began his college career as a redshirt in the Land of the Delta Blue. That season, Johnson appeared in only a single game, not recording any statistics. In his second season for the Memphis Tigers, Johnson made four starts while appearing in all fourteen of Memphis’ games. Statistically, Johnson amassed 58 total tackles (48 solo, 10 assisted), and made two interceptions, while also defending against four passes. During the 2020 season (Shortened due to Covid-19), Johnson started nine of the Tigers 11 games, while making a monstrous, 81 tackles (60 solo, 21 assisted). Johnson also had two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and three interceptions, while defending against five passes.
In 2021, Johnson started all 12 of the games for Memphis. Incredibly, while playing in only one more game than the previous season, Johnson increased his number of tackles by a mind-boggling 23 (104). Johnson made 66 of those 104 tackles all by himself, including one for a sack, while getting help on the other 38. Johnson also had a fumble recovery, an interception, and a college career-high of 11 passes defended against. In his final season at Memphis, Johnson once again started all 12 of the Tigers games but saw his tackle numbers drop off significantly. He totaled 77 tackles (52 solo, 25 assisted), while causing two forced fumbles, recovering a fumble, and having a career-high with a whopping four interceptions. He also defended against four passes.
Strengths
- Specialty is playing man coverage;
- Has quick feet; can change direction with ease;
- Reads the quarterback effectively to be in a position to make a play on the ball;
- Closing speed to get to the ball is exceptional;
- Durable; played in 50 of a possible 63 games (79%), for Memphis.
Weaknesses
- Does not utilize body mechanics correctly, to play to his true potential;
- Is frequently flagged for pass interference; reaches into defender before the ball arrives;
- Needs to do a better job as a tackler; high opportunity to make tackles, but does not complete a lot of those opportunities;
- Needs to work on his tackling against the run game, especially;
- Does not have adequate speed to catch up to and tackle the ball carrier/receiver once they are past him.
NFL Comparison: A less athletic, Brandon Jones
Teams With Need At Position: Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers
Projection: Rounds 5-6
Bottom Line on Quindell Johnson
Quindell Johnson has the potential to be a successful safety in the NFL. He possesses quick feet and can change direction naturally. He is a specialist when it comes to man coverage. Johnson is also able to read the quarterback effectively in order to close on and defend against the pass or pick off the pass. He has also shown a great amount of durability. When factoring in his redshirt season, in which he only appeared in one game, Johnson missed a total of thirteen games over five seasons at Memphis; that is, he played almost 80 percent of their games over those five years. Teams are likely to ire on the side of caution, because while Johnson started the same amount of games in 2022 as he did in 2021, his numbers dropped off significantly in all statistical areas except for interceptions.
Teams may be concerned as to why that happened during that season. The truth could be anything from, he was better conditioned in 2021, or it could just be a matter of circumstances (types of defense played in 2021 versus 2022). Additionally, Johnson does not utilize his body’s biomechanics correctly which would allow him to play up to his full potential. He will probably have to put most of his work into his correcting the way he uses his body. Better biomechanics should make him a better overall football player going forward. Johnson also has a habit of getting handsey with receivers prior to the ball arriving which can lead to a lot of penalties. NFL coaches will not tolerate defensive play which gives away free yardage at the next level.
Johnson also needs to increase his number of tackles by completing tackles when given the opportunity. He missed a significant amount of tackles that he could have made. His tackling issue was most prevalent against the run. Johnson will also need to work on his speed to catch up to ball carriers and receivers who get past him because as it stands right now, he is unable to catch up to them, which may have to do with his conditioning. Overall, Johnson’s potential will make him a pick in this year’s draft in either round five or six. He has the skills needed to succeed in the NFL, with clearly defined areas to improve his overall performance.
Main Image: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
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