Isaiah Johnson, Jeremiah Wilson Preparing For Larger Roles
Last season's bad luck can turn into the season's fortune at cornerback.
Syracuse nation held their breath as cornerback and team captain Garrett Williams went down with a season ending injury in 2022. This injury left the door wide open for others to make their way into the starting lineup and gain valuable experience.
Isaiah Johnson came on the ACC scene in a big way coming from the Ivy League. Johnson quickly became a difference maker for the Orange in Williams' absence. As the team’s leading tackler on special teams, he also provided key contributions at cornerback where he started six games.
Building off last year’s success, Johnson is preparing for a larger role on and off the field. The new defensive coordinator, Rocky Long, has made Johnson one of the leaders on the field.
“I am a talker, but I also do prefer to lead by example," Johnson said. "I am not going to tell anybody anything that I am not going to tell anybody anything that I am not going to do."
The other player that stepped up in his first season at Syracuse was true freshman cornerback Jeremiah Wilson. One of three true freshmen to play in every game of 2022. Not only did he play, but he was a key reserve in the regular season before starting in the Pinstripe Bowl. Wilson finished the season with 21 tackles.
“I had a lot of hiccups, but I had a lot of good plays too, so I just want to build on my discipline and just keep making plays like I know how,” said Wilson.
Wilson is quick to feel comfortable in Long’s 3-3-5 defense.
“It is amazing he has an old school style coaching that is like my high school coach," Wilson said. "It is all just hitting people and running to the ball. It is my type of football, so I love it.
After a season of stepping up, both players have been able to attack training camp with expectations of a larger role. A lot of potential lies on the horizon for Johnson and Wilson to continue to make their marks this season.
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