Michigan freshman CB Will Johnson impressing during spring practices, will 'earn his way onto the field this fall'
Michigan Wolverines football has several freshman early enrollees who could play significant roles in the fall, but none have a better chance than cornerback Will Johnson, a five-star recruit who hit the ground running during winter conditioning in January.
“We’re working out six days a week, just doing some conditioning and strength stuff,” Johnson told TheWolverine.com last month, before spring practices began. ‘We’re going at it hard — everybody is getting a lot stronger, faster. Everybody’s getting a lot better.”
Johnson took it seriously from the jump, and the same goes for when the springtime came. He’s been slowed a bit by minor injuries, forcing him to miss some time, but he’s been impressive when on the field. Michigan co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale connects well with his players but is tough on them — and he has no problem pushing Johnson, he said, because he wants it and has the desire to get better.
First-year Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has seen enough of the freshman to know he’s going to make a big impact on the field this fall.
“First impressions of Will are just a great, great kid,” Minter said. “Highly recruited, decorated. Really earned all that just by his play and his attributes.”
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Out of Grosse Pointe (Mich.) South, Johnson rated as the No. 18 overall player and No. 2 cornerback in the class of 2022 on the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
While he’s highly-touted, Johnson has no problem getting to work, a quality that has impressed Minter and the Michigan coaches since he’s arrived on campus.
“I think he’s done a really good job of just diving in and learn how to be a Michigan football player,” Minter continued. “Humble, works hard. Has a skill set that we really like, and so I think time will tell, but Will will earn himself onto the field this fall.”
Johnson is part of a cornerback group that includes a top guy in redshirt sophomore DJ Turner and another returning player with starting experience in redshirt junior Gemon Green.
Despite not starting until the midway point last season, Turner led the group with seven pass breakups and two interceptions. Green, on the other hand, battled an injury and was replaced by Turner in the starting lineup, but he’s still played over 800 career snaps and has plenty of experience.
It appears Green and Johnson will battle for the starting Michigan corner job opposite of Turner, but even if Green wins the job, based on what the coaches have said, Johnson will still earn playing time. Not only is he a top talent at cornerback, he has enough skill and versatility to play nickel (or even safety, if needed, as he did during his prep high school season). Beyond that, Michigan likes to rotate its cornerbacks as well.
Johnson is a top player to watch during Michigan’s spring game, especially since he’s reportedly gotten healthier and is back to making plays in practice.
