They call him “Schmev.”
BYU cornerback Evan Johnson returns to the team in 2026, after a very strong junior season. Over the season, he became something of an emotional leader in the secondary with a knack for making big plays in big moments.
Johnson hauled in five interceptions in 2025. But these weren’t just any interceptions. His first two of the season came against ECU. The first one coming inside BYU’s 10 yard line as ECU was threatening to take a lead late in the second quarter. Johnson picked
it off on the goal line.
His second of that night came on the very next ECU drive, this time, with ECU the ones being pinned back. He galloped into the endzone for a four-yard pix-six score.
His third came in Ames against Iowa State. With the Cyclones clinging to life, facing a 4th and Goal from the 26, Iowa State QB Rocco Becht heaved a desperation pass that found Johnson’s hands for the game-sealing interception.
His fourth interception of the year thwarted the early momentum UCF was gaining in Provo. His fifth and final pick of the season was his most crucial. At one point during the Pop-Tarts Bowl, Georgia Tech led BYU 21-10 in the second half. BYU fought back to take a 25-21 lead. However, the Yellow Jackets had one last chance for a game-winning drive. They got to the BYU 18 with six seconds left. Georgia Tech QB Hayes King flung it into the endzone, and if it had found a Yellow Jacket pass-catcher, they would have stolen the win from BYU. Instead, Johnson, always rising to the occasion, came down with the pass for his second game-sealing interception of the season and fifth overall.
There’s something to Johnson always having a knack for the big moment. That’s hard to quantify, hard to coach, and even harder to find. The Cougars should be thanking their lucky stars that Johnson chose to return for his senior season in Provo. He was eligible for the NFL Draft and also certainly could have jumped to another program in this wild transfer portal era.
He didn’t. He stayed.
Overall, Johnson ranked 20th among all cornerbacks from the Power Four conferences in Pro Football Focus grade. He ranked 11th in that group in passer rating allowed. Only one cornerback in the Power Four had more interceptions than Johnson.
For his efforts, Johnson was named Pro Football Network Second-Team All-Big 12.
He now returns and should be considered one of the best cornerbacks in the country. With new defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga at the helm, it will be interesting to see what comes of Johnson after he thrived under Jay Hill.
You won’t see him in many preseason lists for top 2027 draft prospects. However, once scouts look more at his playmaking skills, leadership, football IQ, and perhaps an even better 2026 season, it will be undeniable that he deserves to play on Sundays.
A strong 2026 could get him an NFL Combine invite. NFL teams will love “Schmev” as they get to know the man inside the royal and white Cougars helmet. And he’s an instinctive playmaker on top of that.
