Will Johnson

 

Will Johnson, Michigan, CB, 6'1¾", 194 lbs, Junior

Draft Profile

Frankly: (To Be Added)

Overview

Will Johnson is the embodiment of a new era for NFL cornerbacks. With his rare blend of size, instinct, and competitive intensity, he is uniquely equipped to handle the diverse challenges presented by today's receivers. Unlike many corners of his stature who struggle against quick, smaller opponents, Johnson's fluidity and disciplined coverage technique enable him to neutralize receivers of all profiles. His ability to read route combinations before the snap and effectively adjust recalls the early skill set of Stephon Gilmore. While some elements of his game, such as his occasional tendency to gamble in coverage and inconsistencies in his press technique, require refinement, his potential to anchor a secondary is undeniable. Johnson demonstrated an impressive knack for stepping up in high-pressure moments, especially during the College Football Playoff, underscoring his readiness for the bright lights of the NFL. The turf toe injury that limited him in 2024 merits attention, but his overall durability throughout three seasons remains a reassuring sign. Combining scheme versatility with an assertive approach to the game, Johnson projects as a top-10 pick with Pro Bowl potential early in his professional career.

Background

Johnson’s story is one of legacy, ambition, and fulfillment. Following in the footsteps of his father Deon, who enjoyed success at Michigan, Will Johnson took the family tradition to new heights. As a five-star recruit from Grosse Pointe South High School—the first four-year starter in the school’s history—Johnson arrived at Michigan already carrying immense expectations. From his standout freshman campaign that earned All-American recognition to his sophomore season where he emerged as a First-Team All-American and defensive MVP in Michigan’s national championship victory, Johnson proved he could thrive under pressure. Although a turf toe injury affected his junior season, he still showcased his playmaking ability with two interceptions returned for touchdowns. Over his collegiate career, he logged 68 tackles, six interceptions, and 17 pass breakups across 22 starts. Johnson's dynamic athleticism, honed during high school where he excelled as a wide receiver and punt returner, highlights his versatility and playmaking potential at the professional level.

Scouting Report

Pros:

Johnson’s unique combination of physical attributes and mental acuity make him a rare prospect at cornerback. His blend of size and agility enables him to compete effectively against shifty slot receivers and taller boundary threats alike. In zone coverage, his instincts are unmatched; Johnson anticipates plays with the precision of a seasoned veteran, often positioning himself to disrupt passing lanes or create turnovers. In press coverage, his length and aggression allow him to disrupt timing and challenge receivers right off the snap. Johnson’s elite ball skills shine most vividly in pivotal games, including his national championship performance, solidifying his reputation as a clutch performer. His patience and technical discipline in man coverage enable him to stay square against double moves while maintaining control through the stem phase of routes. Additionally, his physicality as a tackler brings a downhill aggression that is both effective and reliable. Johnson's adaptability across man and zone schemes further bolsters his value, ensuring he can excel in any defensive system.

Cons:

Despite his many strengths, Johnson does have areas for improvement. When trailing a receiver, he occasionally resorts to grabbing, which could lead to penalties at the NFL level. His gambling tendencies in zone coverage, while sometimes rewarding, occasionally leave him vulnerable to double moves and deeper plays. There is a slight stiffness in his lateral transitions that may challenge his ability to change directions quickly against shifty route runners. In his junior year, his tackling technique showed inconsistencies, particularly in open-field situations where he would lunge or drop his head instead of breaking down properly. His press mechanics require polishing to ensure more consistent hand placement rather than reliance on raw athleticism. However, these flaws are fixable, and Johnson’s overall upside more than compensates for these weaknesses.

Preseason Report

OVERVIEW

 Will Johnson brings a rare blend of size, athleticism, and ball skills to the cornerback position. His ability to mirror-and-match in man coverage, coupled with his instincts in zone, make him a scheme-diverse prospect. Johnson's length and fluid hips allow him to contend with both bigger X receivers and shifty slot targets. Johnson's ballhawking tendencies and knack for creating turnovers will have NFL defensive coordinators salivating. While there's room for technical refinement, his physical tools and on-field processing should translate immediately to the next level. His skill set is tailor-made for a pattern-matching system that allows him to play aggressively and trust his instincts. In a league where pass defense is at a premium, Johnson's shutdown potential and turnover production make him a blue-chip prospect. His combination of measurables, collegiate production, and scheme versatility position him as a potential early day-one impact player and long-term building block in an NFL secondary.

 

 BACKGROUND

  Will Johnson stepped into a starting role for the Michigan Wolverines as a true freshman in 2022, continuing his family's legacy. The Grosse Pointe, Michigan native made an immediate impact, earning Freshman All-American honors with 27 tackles, 3 interceptions and 6 pass breakups. Johnson's sophomore campaign in 2023 saw him elevate his game further, helping lead Michigan to a national championship while securing first-team All-American and All-Big Ten accolades. In 2023, Johnson cemented his status as a premier defensive back in college football. He recorded 27 tackles, 4 interceptions (including a pick-six), and 8 pass breakups for the Wolverines' championship-winning defense. Johnson's performance earned him Defensive MVP honors in Michigan's national title game victory over Washington. His junior season in 2024 has already seen Johnson notch another pick-six along with multiple pass breakups. Standing at 6'2"" and 202 pounds, Johnson brings prototypical size to the cornerback position. A former wide receiver in high school, Johnson has showcased natural ball skills and playmaking instincts in the secondary. His combination of length, fluid hips, and explosive closing speed allow him to match up with a variety of receivers. Johnson's versatility in both man and zone coverage schemes has caught the eye of NFL scouts.

 ANALYSIS

  PROS: Exceptional size and length for the cornerback position, with a lean, athletic 6'2"" frame Displays elite short-area quickness and change of direction ability for a player his size Fluid hips allow for smooth transitions when flipping to run vertically with receivers Excellent ball skills and body control to high-point passes and make plays on the ball Possesses the long speed to carry receivers deep down the field Physical at the line of scrimmage in press coverage, using his length to disrupt routes Quick processor who recognizes route combinations and jumps underneath throws Versatile defender capable of playing man, zone, or off coverage at a high level

 CONS:

Can be overaggressive in coverage, leading to penalties or big plays allowed Sometimes relies too heavily on athleticism rather than refined technique Tackling technique and angles in run support are inconsistent at times Will need to improve strength to consistently jam and redirect NFL receivers Can be a step slow to locate and track the ball on deep passes at times.

 

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HISTORY -- From School Profile

 CAREER HIGHS

• Tackles: 8 - at Ohio State (Nov. 26, 2022)
• Solos: 7 - at Ohio State (Nov. 26, 2022)
• Asst: 2, 2x - last vs. Washington (Jan. 8, 2024)
• TFLs: 1, 3x - last vs. Rutgers (Sept. 23, 2023)
• Sacks: none
• Int: 2 - vs. Purdue (Dec. 3, 2022)
• FR: none
• PBUs: 2, 2x - last at Penn State (Nov. 11, 2023)

At Michigan
• All-American (first team, 2023)
• All-Big Ten selection (consensus first team, coaches and media, 2023)
• Defensive MVP, 2023 National Championship Game
• Shared Defensive Freshman of the Year honors (2022)
• Two-time letter winner (2022-23)
• Appeared in 25 games with 16 starts at cornerback

Sophomore (2023)
• Appeared in 12 games with 11 starts at defensive back; made 27 tackles including 1.0 for loss with four interceptions (and one returned for a touchdown) returned 80 total yards among eight pass breakups to earn his second varsity letter 
• Named an All-American (first team) by Sports Illustrated; (second team) USA Today, The Athletic
• All-Big Ten selection (consensus first team, coaches and media)
• Defensive MVP, 2023 National Championship Game
• Three times, shared Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against Purdue, at Minnesota, at Penn State
• Preseason All-American (second team, AP)
• Made his season debut playing defensive back against UNLV (Sept. 9)
• Made his first start of the season against Rutgers (Sept. 23) with two solo tackles including one for loss
• On the road at Nebraska (Sept. 30), started at the outside corner spot and delivered three tackles
• Intercepted a pass and returned it 36 yards for a touchdown and added a solo tackle at Minnesota (Oct. 7)
• Started on the outside against Indiana (Oct. 14) and was credited with one tackle
• At Michigan State (Oct. 21), led the team with five unassisted stops
• Intercepted a pass and returned it 26 yards against Purdue (Nov. 4) along with two tackles
• Broke up two passes and made two tackles at Penn State (Nov. 11)
• Made two solo tackles at Maryland (Nov. 18)
• Intercepted a pass and returned it 18 yards against Ohio State (Nov. 25) and also made two tackles
• Made three tackles starting against Alabama in the Rose Bowl/CFP Semifinal (Jan. 1)
• Intercepted a pass on the first play of the second half against Washington in the CFP National Championship Game (Jan. 8) and added four tackles in a start at cornerback

Freshman (2022)
• Appeared in all 14 games as a defensive back and special teams contributor with five starts at cornerback; made 27 tackles with 2.0 for loss and three interceptions among six pass breakups to earn his first varsity letter
• Freshman All-American by Pro Football Focus, 247Sports, The Athletic
• Shared Defensive Freshman of the Year honors
• Named Special Teams Freshman of the Game following his performance against Hawaii
• On four occasions, named Defensive Freshman of the Game for his performance against Michigan State, Penn State, at Indiana, at Ohio State
• Shared Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance at Rutgers 
• Played at corner and nickel in his U-M debut against Colorado State (Sept. 3)
• Made two solo tackles playing in the secondary against Hawaii (Sept. 10)
• Contributed as a cornerback and also played special teams against UConn (Sept. 17)
• Played in the secondary against Maryland (Sept. 24)
• Credited with three solo tackles playing on the outside of the secondary at Iowa (Oct. 1)
• Made one solo tackle playing cornerback at Indiana (Oct. 8)
• Delivered two solo tackles playing cornerback against Penn State (Oct. 15)
• Made one tackle for loss playing in the defensive backfield against Michigan State (Oct. 29) 
• Earned his first career start at Rutgers (Nov. 5) and recorded his first career interception, which he returned 29 yards
• Started again and made two solo tackles with a pass breakup against Nebraska (Nov. 12)
• Registered four solo tackles playing corner against Illinois (Nov. 19)
• Started at Ohio State (Nov. 26) and delivered eight tackles a new career-best
• Picked off two passes and made a TFL against Purdue in the Big Ten Championship (Dec. 3)
• Started, broke up a pass, and made two tackles against TCU in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl/CFP Semifinal (Dec. 31)

Prep
• Attended Grosse Pointe South High School (2022) coached by Tim Brandon; will enroll early at Michigan
• Four-year varsity starter, the first in program history
• Helped the Blue Devils go 6-5 in 2021
• Posted a 4-3 record his junior year in a COVID-shortened 2020 season
• Part of a 7-3 team his sophomore year in 2019 and an 8-2 club as a freshman in 2018

Key Statistics
• As a senior, made 45 tackles (31 solo) with 3.5 for loss, one sack and one interception among 12 total pass breakups
• Totaled 1,302 all-purpose yards receiving, rushing and returning punts; scored one punt-return touchdown and averaged 19.3 yards per return and caught 42 passes for 667 yards with six touchdowns
• Made 21 tackles in seven games as a junior in 2020 totaling eight pass breakups
• Caught 37 passes on offense for 600 yards and eight touchdowns; also scored on a punt return

Honors and Rankings
• Earned a 247Sports Composite ranking of five stars; the No. 20 overall player nationally, the No. 4 CB and the No. 1 player in the state of Michigan
• Named a four-star prospect by 247Sports; the No. 37 overall player in the nation, the No. 6 CB and the No. 1 in the state of Michigan
• Rated as a four-star prospect by ESPN, the No. 2 player in his region, the No. 4 cornerback and the No. 1 player in the state of Michigan
• Rivals.com five-star prospect, the No. 26 player in the country, the No. 4 CB in the nation and the No. 1  player in Michigan
• On3.com five-star consensus rating, the No. 22 player in the nation, the No. 3 cornerback and the No. 1 player from Michigan
• On3.com four-star prospect, the No. 42 player in the country, the No. 9 cornerback and the No. 1 player in the state of Michigan
• Semifinalist for the Maxwell Club High School Defensive Player of the Year
• Named a 2021 MLive All-State selection
• Top-10, Michigan Player of the Year by the Detroit News

Personal
• William Johnson was born March 29, 2003
• Son of Deon Johnson and Kafi Kumasi
• Father, Deon, was a defensive back at Michigan and was part of three Big Ten Championship-winning teams from 1990-94
• Enrolled in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, majoring in General Studies