Michigan CB Will Johnson explains decision to sit out early games
The Michigan Wolverines played the first three games of the year without arguably their most talented defensive player in cornerback Will Johnson. The sophomore and former five-star recruit had an off-season knee surgery that prevented him from being full-go early on in the season.
He played eight snaps in the Week 2 win over UNLV but was mostly sidelined for the non-conference slate. Johnson returned to the lineup last week against Rutgers, playing 43 of 46 defensive snaps. For him, it was a welcome change from the first few weeks of the year.
“I mean, really just trying to get back into the groove of things,” Johnson told the media at Schembechler Hall on Tuesday night. “I haven’t been out there the first couple of weeks. So just trying to get back comfortable, and keep playing at a high level out there.”
Johnson participated in fall camp with some limitations, and probably could have suited up were the opponents bigger or later in the season. But for the Michigan star corner, it was all about making sure he was the best, healthiest version of himself he could possibly be.
The decision to limit his workload early on this year was a collaborative process that had the support of the Michigan coaching staff.
“I had an injury this off-season and wanted to be cautious and make sure I was ready to go,” Johnson said. “That’s all. [In terms of making that decision], it was everybody as a whole. It was for my safety and the team’s safety, you know. I wanted to be there for them in the long run. I think now just slowly working my way into the season was the best way for me.”
Michigan has spent the early part of this season trying to find its identity, and the defense was stifling without Johnson on the field. But he still knows it could be better with him, and it was frustrating to have to sit out.
“Definitely was some frustration,” Johnson said. “But I want to be the best and I’m always trying to get better. But I’ve got a lot of confidence in my teammates. It definitely helps us as a whole to have that depth and then get that experience too.”
There was not a lot to gain by having Johnson out on the field against opponents that Michigan was projected to blow out. He knows that and wants to be part of this team’s best look in November, not September.
“I want to say we’re so much looking towards the future and trying to keep guys healthy just for the end of the year was more just taking a week by week, game by game and last game was just a game. I felt the best and I felt like I could go. So that’s when we decided to go full go.”
Johnson and Michigan hit the road for the first time this season this weekend in a trip to Nebraska. Saturday’s game from Lincoln kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast via Fox.
