Name: Will Johnson
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 194 lbs.
High school: Grosse Pointe (MI) South
Position: Cornerback
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #2
Last year: Johnson was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 45 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, and 11 pass breakups; he also had 1,302 all-purpose yards with 6 receiving touchdowns and 1 punt return touchdown.
TTB Rating: 91
Johnson is the son of former Michigan defensive back Deon Johnson, who made 108 tackles, 12 pass breakups, and 1 interception while playing for the Wolverines from 1991-1994. He committed in February of 2021 after a tough recruiting battle that saw him considering Ohio State, among other schools. He became an Under Armour All-American and finished ranked as a 5-star, the #3 cornerback, and #15 overall in the class.
I annoyed some people when I didn't predict all-time greatness for Johnson, and that was because he has a lot of really good skills but lacks great quickness and speed. However, he does have a college-ready body, and his speed is adequate to keep up with receivers in college. I think he will be a good college player, and it probably won't take him long to get to that point. Johnson says Michigan is training him at the outside corner spot - not nickel or safety - and I think he will be the third corner this season. D.J. Turner II, Gemon Green, and Johnson should be the top three, and perhaps Johnson will jump up into the top two later this season if someone isn't performing up to par.
Prediction: Backup cornerback
Thanks as always for your content. This post makes me think about 2014 Jourdan Lewis, where he’d be stride-for-stride with his receiver only to be beaten by absolutely perfect throws. Will Johnson might emulate that during Big Ten play, though hopefully he’ll get a chance to work out the kinks in lower-stakes, non-conference settings and put himself on a stardom track.
ReplyDeleteI love that they are focusing Johnson on playing CB and not messing with safety or nickel duties. The team has a need at the position (immediate and future) and it's best for him to start with clean and clear duties. Add stuff to his plate later - most freshman need "one job".
ReplyDeleteUnder the Brown/Zordich regime I would have said it doesn't much matter who is #2 CB and who is #3 CB - they rotated between the top 3 all the time - but with this new staff who knows. Maryland and OSU are on the schedule though, and even MSU like's to use 4 WRs so you can be sure the 3rd CB will play a big role, regardless of what happens at safety and nickel. By OSU the 3rd CB could be a top 25 player.
I could see Johnson breaking into that level based on his talent and unique preparation opportunity in November, but he's still just a freshman and there's other options (e.g., McBurrows) that could keep him in "coming next" rather than the featured attraction.
One of many players I'm looking forward to seeing this year.
I agree with your points about Johnson starting off at db and learning that first . But I do think eventually his best position will be safety . In a Dax Hill lite role . I think he would be much more dynamic in that role but we shall see what happens
ReplyDeleteHe's not as fast as Daxton Hill. Speed was Hill's strong suit. Speed is a must for slot DBs. It's firstly what makes them fit to be slot DB.
DeleteWe'll see but I'm inclined to agree with JDD. The nickel/hybrid spot has usually gone to quick twitch athletes (Peppers, Hudson, Hill) not necessarily tall lanky ones. I'm hoping Johnson sticks at corner and is a lock down guy there - we need those too. Sabb and Berry might fit the hybrid spot better.
DeleteAnyone else read Clinksdale's recent comments?. He was very forthcoming I thought. The big news to me is that McBurrows isn't ready and may not be till much later in the year. Too bad.
ReplyDeleteHere is how I interpreted his comments in terms of TTB rank for the guys in the secondary.
1. Moore - he's going to start at either nickel or safety
2. Turner - can make a case for 1
3. Moten
4. Green
5. Paige - him or Sainristil will likely start, with Moore flipping wherever to get the best 5 out there
6. Sainristil - sounds like he has a role at least until freshman are ready but maybe all year
7. Johnson - probably finishes as CB2 or CB3 but starting from behind as a frosh
8. Berry - sounds like he maybe in the mix at nickel, but is a freshman
Could go longer since Clink mentioned a lot of folks but those guys (plus McBurrows if healthy) seem to be the likely/potential contributors on meaningful downs.