We are a little over a month away from the college football season starting and what better way than to evaluate athletes who are on the rise. This segment will feature University of Michigan’s cornerback Will Johnson.

Johnson is coming off an impressive sophomore campaign where he was considered a true lockdown defensive back. While his stat sheet only shows 27 total tackles and four interceptions, he was a key play-maker for a Wolverines defense that helped win the National Championship and secure a perfect 15-0 season.

Pro Football Focus wrote an article titled: ‘College Football: Top 10 returning cornerbacks for the 2024 season’ in which author Max Chadwick discussed Johnson and how much of a difference maker he was as a sophomore.

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.

Chadwick mentioned how productive Johnson has been against top receivers in college football. He is 6-foot-2 and 200-plus pounds and is a physical athlete who has solid speed and ball skills. He is extremely high on Johnson mentioning how the Michigan standout could end up being a top-five draft selection in 2025, which would make him the first cornerback taken that high since Sauce Gardner was drafted in 2022 by the New York Jets fourth overall.

Johnson’s Collegiate Statistics: 

2022: 27 Total Tackles (20 Solo, 7 Assisted), 3 INTs, 3 Pass Deflections

2023: 27 Total Tackles (25 Solo, 2 Assisted), 4 INTs, 4 Pass Deflections, 1 TD

2024: TBD

In each of Johnson’s first two seasons, he has statistically improved his interceptions and pass deflections by an increase of one, while maintaining his total tackles at 27. This season, he will look to secure more tackles and increase his interceptions and pass deflections. If his pass deflections can reach close to double-digits, there is not doubt that he will be a top selection in the NFL Draft.

Last season, Johnson locked down several key wide receivers such as Marvin Harrison Jr. of the Ohio State Buckeyes. The former explosive receiver for the Buckeyes and now Arizona Cardinal, was averaging over 100-yards per game in 2023 and when he was covered by Johnson in the second seasons they played, Harrison Jr. was held under 100-yards (98) and zero touchdowns on just five receptions.

The youthful defensive back is certainly a player to watch in the college scene in 2024 as he will be in his third season and is vying to produce even more for a stout Michigan defense.