We’re less than a week away from the Fiesta Bowl semifinal between No. 2 Clemson and No. 3 Ohio State, and a Clemson defender has stirred the pot. Tiger safety Jadar Johnson was asked about Buckeye quarterback J.T. Barrett on Tuesday and, well, let’s just say he may have given Barrett some motivation with his response.
Clemson safety says he’s faced ‘better QBs’ than J.T. Barrett (which is true)
He’s faced Lamar Jackson, after all.
Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images
“He’s pretty good,” Johnson said via the Associated Press. “We’ve definitely faced better quarterbacks than him. I feel like if we can limit him on the ground, with his running, we’ll be pretty good. I don’t think he’s a very accurate passer. I’m not taking anything away from him. I think he’s a real good player but I feel like his strong point is just on his legs.”
Barrett has completed 62 percent of his passes, ranking No. 38 in the country, and thrown for 2,428 yards and 24 touchdowns, along with just five interceptions. He ranks No. 8 among QBs in rushing yards per game.
Johnson, who leads the defense with five interceptions this season, is no stranger to saying things like this ahead of big games. In fact, before Clemson’s game against Louisville, Johnson said that he thought eventual Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson wasn’t anything too special.
“I don’t really feel like we have to step out of our element or jump up another notch to stop him. We have the tools and the skill set to limit him, and I don’t really see any worries with him,” Johnson said, according to TheClemsonInsider.com.
Louisville would lose a close one to Clemson, 42-36, but Jackson was able to throw for 295 yards and a touchdown, as well as rush for 162 yards and another two scores in the defeat. Jackson’s one interception thrown that night? Yep, it was made by Johnson.
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