JACKSONVILLE – He's a starter now – and in a sense, Antonio Johnson is more than that.

Yes, he is critical to the Jaguars' defense. It's how he got to that point – and where he came from to get there – that makes him a cool, important story around 2026 Training Camp. And make no mistake:

Johnson is in a very different place now from a year ago.

"I feel like it's night and day, honestly," he said.

Johnson, a fourth-year safety, spoke to the media following Day 11 of Jaguars ‘26 camp at the Miller Electric Center Tuesday. Head Coach Liam Coen spoke, too, citing Johnson as an example of how younger – and lesser-known – players can emerge during training camp.

"That's the kind of person where you're like, 'Who is that in this crop [of young players]?''' Coen said.

Coen noted that Johnson this time last offseason was the starting "gunner" on punt returns and the team's fourth safety. The Jaguars on Tuesday released the season's first unofficial depth chart in advance of Saturday's 2026 preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans. Johnson's position:

Starting safety.

"We talked about this in the personnel meeting [Monday]," Coen said. " 'Last year at this time, where was Antonio Johnson in his development? Where was he at on our depth chart? Where was at in terms of contribution?'

"That's what's cool about this. That's what's fun about this. You get to keep grinding through it, seeing who's going to get through that wall of camp and that tough spot and come out on the other side and get better."

Johnson, after spending much of his first two NFL seasons as a special teams player and part-time starter, indeed improved dramatically last season while growing increasingly comfortable in – and important to – defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile's scheme.

"He's a great human being," Campanile said of Johnson. "He's a really tough kid. And he loves football. He's thinking about football when he's not here. It's important to him. The way he represents himself as a player, you can see that it's important to him.

"I'm always rooting for him, and I really appreciate AJ."

Johnson, after playing one defensive snap in the first two 2025 regular-season games, moved into the starting lineup in Week 9. He played at least 65 percent of defensive plays in every game thereafter after playing no more than 55 percent of plays before that. He finished the season tied for the team lead with five interceptions.

"I think I'm a good representation for the younger guys that's coming in undrafted or late draftees," Johnson said. "I'm just able to show them you have to work. You have to do your time on special teams sometimes and it's okay.

"Your time will come, and when your time comes, just take advantage."

Johnson credited veterans such as nickel corner Jourdan Lewis and safety Eric Murray with helping he and other young players throughout last season.

"I learned a lot for sure," Johnson said. "With the coaches and with the older guys in the room, I give a lot of credit to Eric Murray and Jourdan Lewis for just taking a lot of time with the younger guys and breaking down film and going through different situations just with us and no coaches.

"That's where a lot of our guys' game elevated as a unit."

Now, Johnson said his focus is on continuing to improve – "really just sharpening my game, sharpening my skills," he said – and continuing to lead a young secondary that could be one of the team's most improved areas.

"We just understand the scheme now," he said. "It's not like we're learning. Now we know our issues, so when we are in certain coverages, we are making the offense do what we want them to do versus just showing, giving them what they want.

"That's what makes us a dominant defense and what's going to make us a dominant defense."

NOTABLE

• Coen on Tuesday lauded second-year wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, citing a recent interception in practice off quarterback Trevor Lawrence. "Travis just came out of nowhere and makes the play," Coen said. "I can't coach it. When you have length and anticipation and have a good feel for routes, the playmaking, getting your hands on balls or just denying the ball with good coverage … that's a win in itself that goes a little bit unnoticed from corners. When they don't get a lot of work, it's probably because they're doing their job and doing it at a high level. I've been pleased with him."