People forget Cordrea Tankersley is not the only senior returning in the Clemson secondary this year. Though he has started just one game in his career, Jadar Johnson brings plenty of experience to the Tigers’ strong safety position.

Johnson, an Orangeburg, South Carolina native, has played in 39 games in his Clemson career. He has recorded four career interceptions, second on the team to Tankersley’s five.

“He is a senior now. He has seen everything,” Clemson defensive backs coach Mike Reed said earlier this week. “He has played in every football game so he knows.”

The only thing Johnson does not know is how to be the guy. At 6-foot-1, 205-pounds he comes into camp, which begins on Aug. 2, as the starter as strong safety. He spent each of his first three years at Clemson as a backup to Travis Blanks and Jayron Kearse.

“He has to (step up). There are no ifs, ands or buts about it,” Reed said. “He has to. I think he is ready for it. He has played a lot of football. He has paid a lot of his dues so I think it is time for him to do it, so we will see.”

When throwing in Johnson’s experience along with veteran Korrin Wiggins, who will be back after missing all of last season and the spring due to an ACL injury, the Tigers have more veteran leadership then some might think in the secondary.

“I could not tell you. They have done all the workouts, and all of the skills-and-drills things. My thing is I want to see them in pads,” Reed said. “Enough with the two-hand touch, let’s put the pads on. So we will see.”

And one of the things Reed wants to see is Johnson lead.

“Now he knows he has to be the leader. He is the other statesman in the secondary so it is going to be interesting to watch him play,” the Clemson coach said.