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Each year, the NFL Draft showcases a handful of under-the-radar, hidden gem prospects—players with untapped potential who are often overlooked in the pre-draft spotlight. The 2025 NFL Draft is no exception, offering a deep pool of talent just waiting to be discovered.
Today, we’re featuring one such prospect: Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson (LPJ), a standout cornerback from Southern Utah University. With an elite combination of size, speed, and versatility, LPJ possesses the tools to develop into a high-level NFL contributor. Beyond his physical attributes, his resilience, leadership, and commitment to giving back make him an exceptional individual on and off the field. A true sleeper in this year’s class, LPJ is poised to turn heads as the draft approaches.
Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson (LPJ) | Cornerback | Southern Utah University
Height: 6’1” | Weight: 178 lbs | Wingspan: 79.0” | Arm Length: 34.28” | Hand Size: 10.0” | 40-Yard Dash: 4.42 (hand-timed)
Background
Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson, better known as LPJ, enters the 2025 NFL Draft as one of the most intriguing cornerback prospects from the FCS level. A former 3-star recruit and the No. 15-ranked player out of Arizona, LPJ started his collegiate career at Utah, transferred to UNLV, and found his stride at Southern Utah. Nephew to NFL Hall of Famer Tony Dungy, LPJ has the athletic pedigree, size, and skill set to develop into a starting-caliber NFL cornerback. He honors his late mother by wearing #31, which has become a symbol of his resilience and focus.
LPJ’s 2024 season highlighted his potential, where he started every game, allowed no 100-yard receiving performances, and showcased the versatility to thrive in both press-man and zone coverage schemes. His verified Junior Day metrics, including a hand-timed 4.42 40-yard dash, a 79.0” wingspan, and 34.28” arms, give him one of the most physically impressive profiles in the draft.
Strengths
Size and Length: Ideal frame for an NFL cornerback with a 6’1” height and a massive 79.0” wingspan. His arm length (34.28”) allows him to consistently disrupt receivers in phase or at the LOS.
Top-End Speed: A 4.42-second 40-yard dash (hand-timed) highlights his ability to cover ground quickly and stick with vertical threats.
Ball Skills: Anticipates routes well, evidenced by 3 interceptions in 2024, including a highlight 59-yard pick-six against UC Davis.
Versatility: Has experience at both boundary corner and nickel, thriving in both press and zone coverage systems.
Run Support: Physical tackler who isn’t afraid to engage in run defense, with 2.5 tackles for loss in 2024.
Mental Toughness and Leadership: Overcame significant personal adversity, channeling that into a focused, team-first approach on and off the field.
Football IQ: NFL bloodlines combined with experience across three collegiate programs have prepared him to understand advanced defensive concepts.
Weaknesses
Tackling Consistency: While physical, his technique in wrapping up ball carriers can be refined.
Mirroring Quick Receivers: Needs improvement in short-area footwork to match smaller, shifty NFL receivers.
Developmental Coverage Technique: Could benefit from further refinement in man coverage, particularly in tracking through the receiver’s route tree.
2024 Season Highlights
Games Played: 12
Tackles: 31 total (25 solo)
TFL: 2.5 for 6 yards
Sacks: 0.5 for 1 yard
Interceptions: 3 (72 return yards, 1 touchdown)
Pass Breakups: 9
Notable Performance: A 59-yard pick-six against UC Davis demonstrated his ability to capitalize on poor throws and create game-changing plays.
NFL Comparisons
1. Richard Sherman (Seattle Seahawks)
LPJ shares Sherman’s combination of size, length, and intelligence. Like Sherman, he excels in press coverage, using his physicality and length to disrupt passing windows. His ability to track the ball and handle contested throws makes him an intriguing option for teams running Cover-3 or press-heavy schemes.
2. Channing Stribling (Michigan)
LPJ’s combination of height and length is reminiscent of Channing Stribling, a former Michigan cornerback known for his frame and ball skills. Like Stribling, LPJ thrives in trail coverage and excels with his back to the quarterback, showing a natural ability to contest deep throws. However, Stribling’s lack of recovery speed and fluidity limited his NFL ceiling. LPJ offers a higher athletic upside with a verified 4.42 speed and superior arm length, but they share a similar need to refine short-area quickness and change-of-direction skills.
Personal and Off-Field Impact
LPJ’s character and leadership qualities shine just as brightly off the field as they do on it.
NFL Bloodlines: As the nephew of Tony Dungy, NFL Hall of Famer, and cousin of Eddie Pleasant (former NFL safety) and MarJon Beauchamp (NBA player), LPJ has been exposed to elite athletic mentorship his entire life.
Foundation: LPJ plans to launch the "Jaquel Pleasant Foundation" in honor of his late mother. This nonprofit will focus on supporting children who have lost parents to cancer, offering camps, resources, and financial assistance to those in need.
Education: A dedicated student-athlete, LPJ has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UNLV and is pursuing a Master’s in Sports Broadcasting and Communication at Southern Utah.
Resilience: Having lost his mother at age 11, LPJ uses his mother’s memory as motivation. His journey through adversity is a testament to his mental toughness and relentless pursuit of excellence.
NFL Draft Projection
Projected Round: Late Day 3 Potential - Undrafted Free Agent
Best Scheme Fit: Press-heavy or zone-based secondary. LPJ’s size, length, and speed fit the profile for NFL teams seeking a physical corner capable of matching up with larger receivers.
Key Quotes
On his game: “I model my game after Richard Sherman. I bring length, size, speed, and physicality to any secondary.”
On his motivation: “I wear #31 because my mom passed away at that age. Every time I step on the field, I honor her memory.”
Summary
Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson is a sleeper prospect with all the physical tools and mental makeup to succeed at the NFL level. His combination of elite length, 4.42 speed, and versatility makes him an ideal fit for aggressive NFL defenses. Having allowed no 100-yard receiving games during his college career, LPJ has already shown the ability to be a lockdown defender.
Off the field, LPJ’s leadership, academic achievements, and dedication to giving back through his foundation further highlight his potential to be a positive influence both in the locker room and in the community. With interest from several NFL teams and a strong Pro Day, he could solidify his spot as a Day 3 draft steal. LPJ is a player with the physical and mental attributes to outperform his draft position and contribute as a starter early in his career.