Heading into his junior, and probably last, season in Ann Arbor, Will Johnson has been recognized as the top-ranked returning cornerback heading into 2024. Pro Football Focus released their top 10 returning CBs and the Michigan lock-down corner was slated at No. 1.
Johnson immediately lived up to his five-star billing, posting a 91.1 grade in man coverage as a true freshman in 2022 to lead all Power Five cornerbacks.
He followed that up by allowing just a 29.1 passer rating into his coverage as a sophomore, which placed fifth among all cornerbacks in college football. On six targets against Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze this past season, Johnson allowed just three catches while also coming down with an interception.
He has all the physical traits you’d want in a cornerback at 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds with excellent speed, footwork and ball skills for the position. If he was eligible to be selected in 2024, he’d be the first corner off the board. He would’ve been the first one taken in 2023, as well. Johnson has the makings of a special cornerback prospect who’ll likely be a top-five pick next April.
In 2023, Johnson made 27 tackles, eight pass breakups, and four interceptions — including one returned for a score. The 6-foot-2 corner was an All-Big Ten selection, along with being named an All-American.
Johnson made some incredible plays during the Michigan national title run and as PFF mentioned, almost completely shutdown two top NFL Draft picks in Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze.
Johnson makes it difficult on opposing teams since he mostly lines up against their top target, but it’s extremely hard to throw it his way. He allowed just 17 receptions all season and only five were caught by the opposition during the last three games he played: Ohio State, Alabama, and Washington.
There is little doubt that if Johnson were eligible to enter the draft this past April, he would’ve been a sure-fire first-round pick.
