The star Aztec’s Corner is primed to be one of the biggest predraft risers in the 2026 class. Could he be a new shutdown Corner in this class?
Measurables
- 6’0 Height
- 195 lb. Weight
2025 Stats
- 18/43 in Coverage (41.9%) | 9/18 in Man (42.1%) | 10/22 in Zone (45.5%) [some plays are mixed coverage per PFF]
- 185 Yards Allowed (10.3 per Reception) | 78 Yards in Man | 107 Yards in Zone
- 0 TDs Allowed
- 4 INTs | 0 INT in Man | 4 INT in Zone
- 5 Pass Break Ups | 3 Pass Break Ups in Man | 2 Pass Break Ups in Zone
- 16.1 Passer Rating Allowed | 54.3 Passer Rating in Man | 20.6 Passer Rating in Zone
- 2 Penalties
- 79 Yard After The Catch Allowed | 59 YAC in Man | 20 YAC in Zone
- 44 Solo Tackles
- 7 Assist Tackles
- 3 Missed Tackles (5.6%)
- 1 Forced Fumble
Awards/Accolades
- Mountain West Co-Defensive Player of the Year (2025)
- AP Second Team All American (2025)
- Jim Thorpe Award Semi-Finalist (2025)
Strengths
- Dominated in both a variety of zone coverages and did well in press and off man reps
- Highly instinctual, reads receivers well with mirroring technique in off coverage. Eyes are almost always in the right place and knows what route combinations can attack his zones in different ways. Knows when to pass off receiver to protect zone against another target and when to follow receiver when no one else will attack his zone.
- Excellent backpedal with smooth hips. Has the athleticism to turn and run with strong closing speed.
- Aggressive against the ball, contests well.
- Reliable tackler, just 8 missed tackles in entire college career (5.4%). Shows strong technique and is a willing hitter against runners
- Good size and athleticism, fits on the outside.
Weaknesses
- Can struggle at the catch point against bigger receivers. Needs better jump timing to maximize height and length for contest radius.
- Can get stacked vertically on press man reps if he doesn’t use jam technique. Needs work on physicality and hand fighting at release point.
- The rare missed tackle will happen due to being overpowered by bigger backs at contact, but otherwise does a great job wrapping up and staying with quick runners.
Draft Projection
Round 1-2 Grade
I might have one of the higher initial grades of Chris Johnson in the 2026 Draft cycle. Currently CB6 on my board and #38 on my initial Big Board, Chris Johnson has a big opportunity to rise even higher at the Senior Bowl in Mobile Alabama later this month. His tape is amazing, but the level of competition in the Mountain West is a concern some teams might have. Dominating in practice against Senior Bowl Wide Receivers like Alabama’s Germie Bernard, Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt, and Oklahoma’s Deion Burks (will see who else accepts invites to the Senior Bowl later on) would make his stock skyrocket even more.
Don’t be surprised if he enters top 2 Cornerback conversations in this class if that happens.
Conversely, if he struggles in Mobile his stock could take a hit as the level of competition concern grows louder. Should that happen, he could be in the range for the Colts middle of Round 2 pick. With Sauce Gardner dealing with calf issues, Charvarius Ward suffering 3 concussions in 2025, Justin Walley recovering from a Training Camp torn ACL, and Jaylon Jones falling out of favor in Lou Anarumo’s scheme, the Colts could snag Chris Johnson to secure their outside Cornerback depth.
Time will tell if Johnson falls into the Colts range, but Johnson could very well be the best Group of Five Conference player in the draft and the first one selected in April. Coming from the Mountain West, his stock is sure to make a big swing throughout the pre-draft process.
Category: General Sports
