Mario Cristobal assesses Caleb Johnson, reveals familiarity with him

Caleb Johnson has been turning heads since transferring into the Miami Hurricanes program this offseason, and head coach Mario Cristobal discussed how his veteran linebacker has improved his skills over the course of fall camp.

“The light is coming on,” Cristobal said after practice Monday. “You know, I obviously had experienced against him as a coach out there on the west coast while I was at Oregon. He was at UCLA and he’s a really good player, and he’s in a position room where guys are playing really good football and it’s really competitive.”

If things so as expected, Johnson should take over for returning starter Corey Flagg, who Cristobal has since moved to the WILL linebacker position. In terms of intangibles, Johnson’s head coach believes that he has everything he’s looking for in a reliable pass-rushing middle linebacker.

“What Caleb brings to the table – he’s explosive, he’s athletic, he’s really fast, he can track the ball carriers and close in on quarterbacks,” Cristobal said. “He’s got natural rush ability, and he’s got a lot of experiences, has played a lot of football. Terminology-wise, very different. So there’s an adjustment there but overall, Caleb has had a really good camp.”

Johnson started in 17 games for UCLA over the past two seasons. During that time, he’s totaled 89 tackles, including a team-high 44 in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. That year he also totals seven tackles for los and 5.5 sacks in just seven games and received All-Pac-12 honorable mention status for his efforts.

Being somewhat of a journeyman throughout his collegiate tenure, Johnson began his career at Fullerton College before transferring to Texas to play under head coach Tom Herman. Lasting just three games in Austin, Johnson decided to leave after dealing with some injury problems. He ventured back home to the state of California with UCLA and was a starter for two seasons.

Now, as a sixth-year senior in his final season of eligibility, Johnson will look to make an immediate impact as the middle anchor of the Miami defense. Fans won’t have to wait very long for Johnson’s first chance to display his skills in South Beach, as the ‘Canes host Bethune-Cookman University on opening Saturday at home.