2024 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 9 Days (Jamier Johnson)

Written by T.J. Inman

The Hoosier Huddle Countdown to IUFB Kickoff is in single digits. With nine days left, we have another double serving of IUFB. Next up is defensive back Jamier Johnson.

Jamier Johnson

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 177 pounds

Hometown: Pasadena, California (transfer from Texas)

Class/Position: Redshirt Junior/Defensive Back

Expectations for Jamier Johnson from Indiana fans were very high. After all, it is not often a transfer with experience playing for the University of Texas makes the move to Bloomington. Those hopes were dashed as injuries robbed Jamier Johnson of all but four games of his 2023 season. On the bright side, he was able to redshirt and keep his year of eligibility. Jamier Johnson was a big keeper for Curt Cignetti and his staff as he has two seasons left and remains a high-ceiling option at cornerback for the Hoosiers.

Jamier Johnson is originally from California and he played defensive back and wide receiver at John Muir High School. He was a four-star recruit that chose Texas and appeared in ten games as a freshman for the Longhorns. Johnson actually started a game for Texas in 2022 but chose to move on and entered the transfer portal prior to the 2023 season. He committed to Indiana and was expected to start for the rebuilt IU secondary before the injuries began in game number two.

Jamier Johnson has excellent quickness that help make up for his sub-6’0” frame. He does have good length that helps him as a defensive back on the outside against bigger targets. Johnson is now playing in a new defensive scheme under coordinator Bryant Haines and IU’s secondary has been nearly completely retooled. Exactly how the rotation will play out is not going to be known until the games start but the expectation is that Jamier Johnson is going to start as one of the outside corners. Where Nic Toomer lines up will have an impact and the additions of Cedarius Doss and D’Angelo Ponds via the transfer portal add depth. In nine days, we’ll know for sure but the guess is that Jamier Johnson starts with D’Angelo Ponds and then Cedarius Doss takes the slot corner role. JoJo Johnson, Jamari Sharpe and Josh Philostin will be a part of the rotation as IU will need to play at six corners consistently.

The Hoosier Huddle Countdown to Kickoff continues each and every day so be sure to check back often for the latest profile piece!