It took about an hour of media availability before we were gifted our first "bulletin board material" sound bite of the 2016 Fiesta Bowl.
Clemson senior safety Jadar Johnson, who hails from Orangeburg, South Carolina, spoke with reporters Tuesday in Phoenix and did not obscure his evaluation of Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett.
The key to beating the Buckeyes, according to Johnson, is forcing Barrett to throw the ball. Of the Ohio State captain, Johnson says the Tigers have "definitely" faced better.
Clemson's Jadar Johnson isn't high on Ohio State's pass game: "I'm not really strong on J.T. Barrett's arm ... definitely played better QBs"
— Eric Seger (@EricSeger33) December 27, 2016
Clemson safety Jadar Johnson said emphasis will be on containing J.T. Barrett as a runner. "I don't think he's a very accurate passer."
— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) December 27, 2016
Here is Johnson's full quotes on Barrett and the Ohio State passing game, followed by how it compares to the last time the two squads played, in the 2014 Orange Bowl. Johnson was a freshman that season and did not record any statistics against the Buckeyes.
“We definitely have faced quarterbacks better than him. I feel like if we can limit him on the ground with his running, that we'll be pretty good. I don't think he's a very accurate passer. I'm not taking anything away from him, he's definitely a good player but I feel like his strong point is on his legs. If we can limit him with that we'll be able to play.
[...]
“That was a little different then because I feel like Braxton Miller can throw a little bit better than J.T. Barrett. I'm not really strong on J.T. Barrett's arm. I don't think he can really throw that well. Not saying he can't throw it all, he definitely can put it out there but I definitely feel like Braxton Miller was a better thrower than him.”
It should be noted, this is not the uniform opinion of Barrett from the Tiger defense:
Clemson LB Ben Boulware gushed about Barrett. Said he can pass and run and is as intelligent as any QB in the country.
— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) December 27, 2016
Johnson, for his part, has five interceptions on the year.
Clemson vs. Ohio State kicks off Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
HT: @JerodNBC4
