Tuesday, August 24, 2021

2021 Season Countdown: #14 Cornelius Johnson

 

Cornelius Johnson (image via Rivals)

Name: Cornelius Johnson
Height:
6'3"
Weight:
211 lbs.
High school:
Greenwich (CT) Brunswick
Position:
Wide receiver
Class:
Junior
Jersey number:
#6
Last year:
I ranked Johnson #27 and said he would be a starting wide receiver (LINK). He started three games and made 16 catches for 254 yards and 3 touchdowns.
TTB Rating:
87

Johnson was in a unique situation at Michigan last year. A program somewhat known for pumping out NFL-prototype receivers suddenly found itself with a bunch of slotty receivers and one 6'3" guy: Johnson. The 6'4" Nico Collins opted out of the 2020 season, and that left Johnson to tower over the 6'0" or shorter wide receiver room. Partly because of that, I expected Johnson to take over a starting role to give Michigan a bigger presence on the field.

Johnson didn't do a ton the first couple weeks, exploded for 9 catches for 187 yards and 3 touchdowns against Indiana and Rutgers, and then didn't do much again when the Wolverines didn't have a healthy QB against Penn State. Apparently he's only good against teams wearing red, which bodes well for the Ohio State game this season.

I think Johnson is headed for a breakout season in 2021. He has some confidence from 2020 and has now had an extra year to build his relationship with Cade McNamara. Johnson is a good route runner with solid speed and that NFL-prototype size. Michigan doesn't produce superstar-level stats on offense, but Johnson should perform well enough for people around the league to recognize.

Prediction: Starting wide receiver; 35 catches, 540 yards, 5 touchdowns

9 comments:

  1. Johnson is my favorite WR, and I'm hopeful that our QB can take advantage of his skillet - may be what we thought we'd get from Nico

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  2. You'd think the combination of Johnson and Bell would be a juicy set of targets for a pass-oriented offense and a skilled QB. May it be so.

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  3. I should know you'd have him lower than Ronnie Bell.

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    Replies
    1. Funny how that works.

      Ronnie Bell: #5 WR in 2018, #1 in 2019, #1 in 2020
      Cornelius Johnson: #7 WR in 2019, #2 WR in 2020

      It's almost like the guy who's been the #1 receiver the past two years is more important than the guy who's been, on average, the #4.5 WR over the past two eyars.

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  4. There isnt too much buzz about Ronnie Bell this year. The last thing I read is Daylen Baldwin is moving up and it looks like he will pass Bell at some point

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  5. Johnson started against Wisconsin and caught zero passes so I don't know how much he "exploded" over the Indiana/Rutgers stretch. He surprised and impressed me last year but with Baldwin and Wilson coming I don't see a 500 yard season. Guessing he goes into his senior year in 2022 as another one of those "well that came quick" guys.

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    Replies
    1. "well that came quick"

      Programs across the country - in many sports & activities - will say that about the 2019 FR class

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    2. Yeah it's going to be a mindF. On one hand you'll have the guys who essentially lost a year, breezed through and weren't very noticed until their final seasons. Then you'll have guys who just are around forever, maybe you might remember them from 2019 but they end up sticking around for 6th years, 3rd coaching staffs, etc.

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