Walking the Talk: BYU cornerback Evan Johnson backs up his big talk
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- BYU’s Evan Johnson (0) celebrates a 33-27 double overtime victory at Arizona on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025.
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- BYU’s Evan Johnson leaps into the end zone after intercepting a pass against East Carolina in a college football game on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Greenville, N.C.
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- BYU’s Evan Johnson celebrates a sack against TCU in a Big 12 football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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- BYU’s Evan Johnson (0) reacts during a Big 12 football game against UCF at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.
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- BYU’s Evan Johnson makes an interception in the end zone in the final seconds against Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025.
During BYU’s past Pro Day, cornerback Mory Bamba stole the show.
During the 40 yard dash, the 6-foot-3 speedster finished across the finish line at a torrid pace, which was the evidenced several minutes later with his posted time of 4.27 seconds. Audible gasps and then cheers were heard from just about everyone in attendance, as it testified to how extraordinarily fast Bamba, who was a spot starter for the Cougars for most of last season, is.
Evan Johnson, who is now entering his final senior season in Provo was there, and while he was very happy for his teammate and good friend, it triggered perhaps a bit of his competitive nature.
“I knew Mory was going to do what he did, but you wait to see what I do next year,” he said in his confident yet fun-loving way that has endeared him to teammates. “He has his time, and it was a great time, and I’m happy for him. But my time will tell next year. That’s all I’m going to say; I’m going to let my time tell.”
Yes, Evan Johnson, who is referred to by almost everyone around him as ‘Schmev,’ has showcased his speed often during his time playing cornerback for BYU, and particularly last season. The Monterrey, California native has ushered in more than several plays which testify to the fact that it’s not all talk regarding his speed and overall athleticism, which has benefitted BYU’s overall defensive production tremendously.
With regards to talking, Johnson engages in it frequently, whether on the practice field or with the opposition during games. But is he the biggest talker on the team or even within his position group?
“I’d have to give it to Tre (Alexander),” Johnson admitted. “Neither of us stop (talking.) We’re both loud, but I’d have to give it to Tre a little bit more.”
Whatever methods Johnson uses to perform at a high level has apparently worked. Last season saw the 6-foot speedster pick off five passes, one of which he returned for a touchdown in a win versus East Carolina, which changed the entire trajectory of the game.
This year he aims to make even more of those type of plays while remaining remarkably critical of himself with the standout plays he did register.
“I know when you get that ball on defense, you’ve got to make an attempt to score, you know? You never know how many opportunities you’re going to get to have the ball in your hands,” he said. “So when you get it, just try to make the best of it.”
It’s the type of mentality he carries effectively both on and off the field of play.
“The way I carry myself on the field is the way I carry myself in life. So I don’t really get mad or sad, in the moment,” Johnson said of his approach. ” … That was just my biggest mindset–or biggest thought for me in (games) … , ‘Get over it. Come on, new play.’ I feel like that helped me, and I give credit to my parents because that’s something they just instilled in me since day one.”
With spring practices over, and Johnson firmly established as the team’s top corner with Alexander standing as the Cougar’s likely No. 2 at the position, the door is still open for others to fill up the two-deep roster in place of Bamba. Those players include Mississippi State transfer Jayven Williams, sophomore Jonathan Kabeya and freshmen Justice Brathwaite and Jordyn Criss, among others. It’s a group Johnson feels confident with heading into the season.
“I have so much confidence in all our younger corners,” Johnson said. “I see them work hard with my own eyes. So when you see that and you just see what they’re willing to sacrifice, willing to put in, and just willing to trust in the people around (them), it makes you trust those guys … The room will be deep for a while. I’m very confident in those guys.”
It’s a group that will be instructed by Lewis Walker, who will be in his first year coaching at BYU after replacing Jenaro Gilford, who left the program for Michigan in the offseason. So far so good with regards to Walker’s instruction, at least according to Johnson, who took the departure of Gilford, who is effectionately still referred to as ‘Coach G’, hard at first.
“I was very, very close with Coach G, so it was a shock when he left and it was tough,” Johnson said. “But a lot of the same coaches are still here and I trust all of them, and Coach (Walker) has been great so far. I think the future is bright for all of us and I’m excited to get going.”
