Tag: Will Johnson

Michigan defensive back Will Johnson celebrates a touchdown after intercepting USC quarterback Miller Moss during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Michigan CB Will Johnson enters 2025 NFL Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Michigan cornerback Will Johnson entered the 2025 NFL Draft, ending his college career with his sights set on being a first-round pick in April.

Johnson, ranked as a top 10 player overall by Field Level Media in the 2025 draft rankings, is one of two Wolverines defenders to declare for the draft this week. Defensive tackle Mason Graham, another first-round prospect in Field Level Media rankings, announced his exit from Ann Arbor on Tuesday.

With elite size (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) and big-time production in the Big Ten, Johnson is projected as high as the No. 5 overall pick in 2025. He had nine career interceptions and set the record with three career interception returns for touchdowns.

“I want to start by thanking God for guiding me every step of the way. I would be nothing without Him and his hand on my life,” Johnson said in his farewell announcement posted to social media Wednesday. “To my coaches – Thank you to Coach Harbaugh for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play at Michigan, it was a true honor.”

Johnson played in only six games in 2024 and said he won’t be playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama this month.

Johnson was sidelined for Michigan’s win over Ohio State last month with a toe injury and missed one game with a shoulder injury. He has been limited by the toe injury since leaving the game at Illinois on Oct. 19, but is expected to be healthy for the pre-draft circuit starting with the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

The defensive MVP of the national championship game in January, Johnson had two interception returns for touchdowns this season. He had four picks last season for the undefeated Wolverines, including an interception of then-quarterback Kyle McCord in the rivalry game against Ohio State that featured Johnson matching up with 2023 first-rounder Marvin Harrison Jr.

–Field Level Media

Michigan defensive back Will Johnson celebrates after intercepting a pass from Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.

Michigan CB Will Johnson out vs. Ohio State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Michigan All-American cornerback Will Johnson’s next football game might be played on a Sunday.

The projected first-round cornerback is out for the Wolverines’ trip to No. 2 Ohio State on Saturday with a toe injury. Johnson has been limited since leaving the game at Illinois on Oct. 19, and his next stop is expected to be the NFL draft.

Johnson is ranked as a top 10 player overall by Field Level Media in the 2025 draft rankings,

The defensive MVP of the national championship game in January, Johnson has two interception returns for touchdowns this season. He had four picks last season for the undefeated Wolverines, including an interception of then-quarterback Kyle McCord in the rivalry game against Ohio State that featured Johnson matching up with 2023 first-rounder Marvin Harrison Jr.

Without Johnson on the field, opponents are averaging 6.6 yards per pass attempt. Ohio State features two wide receivers headed for all-conference notice in Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka. Egbuka caught a TD pass among three receptions for the Buckeyes at Michigan last year.

–Field Level Media

Michigan defensive back Will Johnson (2) high-fives fans during warm up before the Michigan State game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.

Reports: Michigan CB Will Johnson will miss Oregon game

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Michigan’s defense against No. 1 Oregon will be without a key player as cornerback Will Johnson will miss the Saturday matchup in Ann Arbor, Mich., due to an injury, CBS Sports/247 Sports and ESPN reported Friday night.

Johnson got hurt on Oct. 19 during the Wolverines’ 21-7 road loss to then-No. 22 Illinois, and he didn’t play last week as Michigan beat visiting Michigan State 24-17.

The injury was described as being to a lower leg, with CBS Sports reporting Johnson has a foot ailment.

Asked about Johnson on Monday, Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said, “He’ll for sure (play again) this season. We’ll see how it works out this week and what he can do. So we’ll just let the doctors handle that. … Will has no plan of just shutting it down or anything like that.

“If he could go out there, he would go out there in a heartbeat. I know that he’ll be back out there at some point this season, whether it’s this week, next week, whatever it is. And there’s zero doubt in my mind that he’s a competitor that wants to be out there with his teammates.”

The tone of Moore’s comments was in relation to Johnson potentially bowing out of college competition to focus on the NFL Draft. On ESPN’s latest 2025 draft rankings, Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham is listed as the No. 1 overall prospect, with Johnson at No. 2.

Through five games this season, Johnson has 12 tackles, three passes defensed and two interceptions (both returned for touchdowns).

The defending national champion Wolverines are 5-3, 3-2 in the Big Ten entering the matchup with Oregon (8-0, 5-0).

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; An Michigan Wolverines helmet during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Five-star CB Will Johnson commits to Michigan

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Michigan landed the top-ranked player in the state in the Class of 2022 on Sunday with the commitment of five-star cornerback Will Johnson.

The 6-foot-3 Johnson, who attends Grosse Pointe South High School, is the No. 11 overall prospect in the nation, according to the 247Sports composite.

He announced his decision with a video posted to social media.

Johnson had offers from numerous Power Five programs and selected the Wolverines over rival Ohio State and Southern California.

His father, Deon Johnson, was a defensive back at Michigan in the 1991 and 1992 seasons.

Michigan is off to a good start in the 2022 recruiting cycle, holding the No. 10-ranked class so far, according to 247Sports.

–Field Level Media