Breaking news:.Will Johnson announced his departure and decommit from Michigan say goodbye…

Breaking news:.Will Johnson announced his departure and decommit from Michigan say goodbye…

Will Johnson

Ranked as one of the top cornerbacks in the nation, Michigan Wolverines cornerback Will Johnson did everything to cement his 2025 NFL Draft stock in the 2024 college football season.

As a major piece to the Wolverines tough, star-studded defense, Johnson’s lockdown corner ability showcases itself time and time again as he made quarterbacks pay if they looked his way. That was evident with a Pick-6 against Fresno State in the Wolverines’ season-opener and another Pick-6 against USC.

The latter marked Johnson’s third pick-6 in his career, setting a program record. In all, Johnson totaled the 2 INTs along with 3 passes defensed on the season. If not for Travis Hunter and his stellar performance, Johnson would be the top corner entering the 2025 NFL Draft. Some scout expects could still have him as the top corner given his awareness on defense and versatility to dominate in both press-man coverage and different zone looks.

2025 NFL Draft: Will Johnson is an NFL lockdown cornerback in the making

After declaring for the NFL Draft in early December, Johnson leaves Michigan as one of their best defenders. Not only did he set the school record with 3 Pick-6’s, but he also has many accolades under his belt, including All-American honors as both a sophomore and junior as well as being named MVP of the College Football Playoff national championship game in 2024.

Although the Wolverines followed up that national championship with an 8-5 season, the defense was championship caliber. With top prospect talent like Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant anchoring the front seven, Johnson held it down in the secondary as opposing quarterbacks feared to throw it his way.

Prior to the 2024 season, ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid was already singing the praises of Johnson, seeing him as a corner who could go at the top of the draft.

“We’ve never seen a cornerback being selected at the top of the draft (common draft era, since 1967),” Reid wrote. “So yeah, the odds are extremely stacked against Johnson. But if there were a CB who could challenge for that feat, he’d be a strong contender. In 2022, Derek Stingley Jr. and Sauce Gardner were picked with back-to-back selections at Nos. 3 and 4. Johnson is that caliber