SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Clemson safety Jadar Johnson made plenty of headlines Tuesday morning when he said the Tigers “definitely faced better quarterbacks” than Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett and that Barrett was “not a very accurate passer.”
Barrett did not have the opportunity to address the comments himself — the Buckeyes’ offensive players spoke to reporters before Clemson’s defensive players Tuesday — but on Wednesday morning at the J.W. Marriott Camelback Inn and Resort there were plenty of players on both teams asked about Johnson’s remarks.
“That’s my quarterback,” Ohio State linebacker Chris Worley said with a smile before a long pause. “That’s what T.O. said.”
T.O. is in reference to former NFL star wide receiver Terrell Owens, who once famously came to the defense of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo during a postgame press conference. This wasn’t quite as dramatic, but it certainly showed Ohio State has full confidence in Barrett and that the Buckeyes aren’t necessarily buying what Johnson said.
“That’s his opinion,” Worley said. “I don’t know what would make him come out and say that, but at the end of the day, we’ve got to go out and win a game on Saturday and that’s what it’s about.”
This wasn’t the first time Johnson said something bold and his teammates made note of that. Prior to this season’s matchup between Clemson and Louisville, Johnson said he would "slam" Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson if he attempted a hurdle during the game.
“He’s done it before and we tell him he needs to watch what he’s saying,” Tigers running back Wayne Gallman said. “I can’t control what comes out of his mouth so I hope he backs it up.”
Added Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson: “That’s out of my control. That’s just his opinion and how he felt about it. We respect everyone and personally, I respect J.T. and all the other guys on their team who we’re competing against. You can’t fault him for his own opinions. If that’s how he feels then that’s how he feels. Everyone has their own opinion and he shouldn’t be judged for it.”
Barrett will likely be asked about Johnson’s comments Thursday as the Fiesta Bowl holds its annual media day ahead of Saturday’s showdown between the Buckeyes and Tigers.
Right now, his teammates have his back.
“We’re just focused on what we do,” linebacker Raekwon McMillan said. “Go out, practice hard and we don’t really worry about what’s going on in the media and stuff like that.”
“People have seen it throughout J.T.’s career. Overtime at Penn State a few years ago, he had a knee injury, probably wasn’t supposed to come back in the game. Came back and willed us to a victory. Offense wasn’t playing well against [Michigan], see him come back and help us win the game. That’s what he is,” Worley added. “I’ll take my quarterback, like T.O. said, before anybody.”
