By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger
Photo: Fleet-footed Jaymar Johnson averaged almost 18 yards per reception last season for JSU.
Thanks to a coaching change, overhauled roster and some difficult losing seasons, few on this year's Jackson State football roster are fifth-year seniors.
One is receiver Jaymar Johnson, who laughs almost painfully when he remembers the odyssey over the years.
"Personally, I went from being a glorified offensive lineman to being in receiver heaven," Johnson said. "Then as a team, we went from being pretty bad to having a great chance to win the (Southwestern Athletic Conference).
"All in all, it's been great, but it's hard to say I expected it to be like this."
Starting his career under the run-first reign of coach James Bell, Johnson rarely saw the ball. He said there was times he wondered if he would ever be a big part of the offense.
But when Bell was fired and Rick Comegy stepped in before last season, Johnson's patience was rewarded. He's emerged as Jackson State's big-play specialist - both at receiver and on special teams.
Johnson (6-1, 180) led the Tigers with 30 receptions last season for 527 yards and two touchdowns. He also averaged 12.7 yards per punt return, including one for a touchdown.
And even more is expected from his final season.
"Last year was just the beginning of what this offense can truly accomplish," Johnson said. "We were feeling our way through things back then. Now we know things and it's second nature. That can only help."
Jackson State's receiving corps is loaded with seniors, with five expecting to see ample playing time.
But Johnson is the veteran among veterans. He's 23 years old and married, bringing a work ethic that's noticed and much appreciated among his teammates and coaches.
"Jaymar's a guy who works hard whether you're watching or not," Comegy said. "And that's exactly why you'll be seeing him play on Sundays in the NFL long after he's done at Jackson State. He's a veteran that we count on every week."
The Gary, Ind., native spent part of the summer in San Diego working out with Cletis Gordon, the former JSU star who appeared in two games with the San Diego Chargers as a rookie kick and punt return specialist.
Johnson and Gordon have the same elite-level speed that is needed to play in the NFL.
That was obvious this week at a Jackson State practice, when Johnson caught a routine screen pass and juked three defenders on his way to going untouched into the end zone.
"Awesome," was the only word Comegy could find to describe the play after practice.
"It's certainly a goal of mine to play in the NFL, but there's a lot of other things to worry about right now," Johnson said. "Cletis was warning me not to get ahead of myself. If I don't perform well this season, all of this NFL stuff will be gone."
Senior receiver Chris Johnson (no relation), who usually lines up on the opposite side of the field from Jaymar, says he doubts that will be a problem.
"If they try to double team Jaymar, we've got a lot of other guys who will make them pay," Chris Johnson said. "And if they put single coverage on Jaymar - well, they're probably still gonna pay. He's pretty hard to stop."
FIVE WHO STAYED
These are Jackson State's five players who started their career with the Tigers and stayed for five seasons:
QB/WR Kethonne McLaurin
LB Marcus Smith
WR Jaymar Johnson
C Lorenzo Breland
K Kevin Murriel
Photo: Fleet-footed Jaymar Johnson averaged almost 18 yards per reception last season for JSU.
Thanks to a coaching change, overhauled roster and some difficult losing seasons, few on this year's Jackson State football roster are fifth-year seniors.
One is receiver Jaymar Johnson, who laughs almost painfully when he remembers the odyssey over the years.
"Personally, I went from being a glorified offensive lineman to being in receiver heaven," Johnson said. "Then as a team, we went from being pretty bad to having a great chance to win the (Southwestern Athletic Conference).
"All in all, it's been great, but it's hard to say I expected it to be like this."
Starting his career under the run-first reign of coach James Bell, Johnson rarely saw the ball. He said there was times he wondered if he would ever be a big part of the offense.
But when Bell was fired and Rick Comegy stepped in before last season, Johnson's patience was rewarded. He's emerged as Jackson State's big-play specialist - both at receiver and on special teams.
Johnson (6-1, 180) led the Tigers with 30 receptions last season for 527 yards and two touchdowns. He also averaged 12.7 yards per punt return, including one for a touchdown.
And even more is expected from his final season.
"Last year was just the beginning of what this offense can truly accomplish," Johnson said. "We were feeling our way through things back then. Now we know things and it's second nature. That can only help."
Jackson State's receiving corps is loaded with seniors, with five expecting to see ample playing time.
But Johnson is the veteran among veterans. He's 23 years old and married, bringing a work ethic that's noticed and much appreciated among his teammates and coaches.
"Jaymar's a guy who works hard whether you're watching or not," Comegy said. "And that's exactly why you'll be seeing him play on Sundays in the NFL long after he's done at Jackson State. He's a veteran that we count on every week."
The Gary, Ind., native spent part of the summer in San Diego working out with Cletis Gordon, the former JSU star who appeared in two games with the San Diego Chargers as a rookie kick and punt return specialist.
Johnson and Gordon have the same elite-level speed that is needed to play in the NFL.
That was obvious this week at a Jackson State practice, when Johnson caught a routine screen pass and juked three defenders on his way to going untouched into the end zone.
"Awesome," was the only word Comegy could find to describe the play after practice.
"It's certainly a goal of mine to play in the NFL, but there's a lot of other things to worry about right now," Johnson said. "Cletis was warning me not to get ahead of myself. If I don't perform well this season, all of this NFL stuff will be gone."
Senior receiver Chris Johnson (no relation), who usually lines up on the opposite side of the field from Jaymar, says he doubts that will be a problem.
"If they try to double team Jaymar, we've got a lot of other guys who will make them pay," Chris Johnson said. "And if they put single coverage on Jaymar - well, they're probably still gonna pay. He's pretty hard to stop."
FIVE WHO STAYED
These are Jackson State's five players who started their career with the Tigers and stayed for five seasons:
QB/WR Kethonne McLaurin
LB Marcus Smith
WR Jaymar Johnson
C Lorenzo Breland
K Kevin Murriel
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