Riverside (CA) Notre Dame four-star cornerback Darius Johnson committed to Michigan on Monday. He picked the Wolverines over Oklahoma, Oregon, USC, and others.
The 6'1", 170 lb. recorded 29 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 10 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries as a junior in 2025.
RANKINGS
ESPN: 4-star, 80 grade, #30 CB
Rivals: 4-star, 90 grade, #25 CB, #303 overall
247Sports: 3-star, 88 grade, #55 CB
Hit the jump for more.
Johnson is an outside corner with good length and speed. At 6'1" with solid track speed (10.94 in the 100 meters as a sophomore), he has the ability to stay with receivers, make up ground, and maintain a good playmaking radius. He has good technique and balance in his backpedal, and he has solid eye discipline that should prevent him from getting taken advantage of on double moves. He seems to do well in zone coverage and looks well coached, which he should be, considering his dad is former Washington Huskies and NFL cornerback Derrick Johnson. (Fun fact: This particular Derrick Johnson was selected in the same 2005 draft as the more famous Derrick Johnson, a linebacker who played for Texas before being a 1st round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs; Darius's dad was a 6th round pick by the 49ers.)
Darius is a little bit thin and could afford to get stronger. He's not an unwilling tackler, but he does seem a little light and needs to put on some muscle before he's ready to take on Big Ten running backs.
Overall, Johnson is a good cornerback prospect, especially for a zone scheme (Cover 2 or Cover 3) where he can use his technique, reaction quickness, and length. I wouldn't anticipate him being a superstar because he doesn't seem to have elite ball skills or turnover production, but he should be a solid #2 corner by the time his college career wraps.
Johnson becomes Michigan's first cornerback commitment in the 2027 class and its twelfth commitment overall. He would be the first player to come from Riverside (CA) Notre Dame.
"I wouldn't anticipate him being a superstar because he doesn't seem to have elite ball skills or turnover prediction, but he should be a solid #2 corner by the time his college career wraps."
ReplyDeleteIn an ideal world, the secondary would be populated by 5-star studs in the form of the Charles Woodsons, Dax Hills, and Will Johnsons of the past. But it's not an ideal world. So a question: say you get to populate your secondary with 1 superstar, 1 *really* good player, and 3 merely good players (these are not liabilities, but they won't go high in the NFL draft). How do you allocate that?
“turnover prediction” … a dying skillset
DeleteOkay, so I actually think that's a pretty easy question to answer, but I appreciate it anyway:
DeleteSuperstar = #1 corner. Shut down half the field, freeing up rest of secondary.
Really good player = Nickel. Plays close to ball and can create lots of havoc plays.
Good players = FS, SS, #2 CB.
So give me Will Johnson as my #1 CB, Mikey Sainristil/Jabrill Peppers at nickel, and then Dymonte Thomas, Tyree Kinnel, and Josh Wallace at the other secondary spots, and that's a pretty awesome defensive backfield.
Thanks ... I had a feeling CB position was the superstar, but I wasn't sure about how the others would shake out. I'm a little surprised the #2 corner is just a good play, but I think for most teams that'll be okay, since most teams don't have superstars at WR1 *and* WR2.
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