The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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pen [helps on the field]," Johnson said. "I know I'm athletic, but I'd say playing football is more like reading a book because you have to an antici- pation of what's going to happen in the future. "As plays go on from the start, I can pick it up fast and really move and make the receiver run a route." Johnson's smarts for the game might be inherent, but they weren't always usable. It took time for him to rely on them during games. "At first, I didn't trust it because I don't want to over-risk something or anticipate something and it causes you to call a big play," he said. "Over time, I learned to trust my IQ with my technique to make it one. To move like one defensive back instead of being all over the place and being rambled what's going on. "I just realized that IQ I have now goes with the technique and the speed and the conditioning." While Johnson sees himself as a free safety, he admitted he is a ver- satile player that can play a lot of different spots. His ability to read the game helps him when he has to play interchangeable roles on the defense, and he believes he can help Michigan out early. "He's a very, very smart football player who can play all over the de- fense," Friedman said. "He's a guy who has the physicality to play in the backfield, the speed and awareness to play in the secondary. "He's got great physical makeup. Physically he's ready to contribute now. I want to make sure he's fast enough for the college game. He will face a steep learning curve based on the role he will play on this defense. As soon as he masters his role, I think he can be a big-time contributor." Over the course of his prep career, Friedman saw Johnson develop, and he expects that to continue at U-M. "He's gotten faster, he's gotten big- ger — not just taller, but he's filled out his frame with good weight, solid muscle mass," Friedman said. "His footwork over that time has im- proved tremendously. He's always had a smooth backpedal, but the way he's able to turn and run quicker than he was a year and a half ago is important." Casamento believes Johnson is go- ing to be very successful at Michigan. "He's a program kid," the coach said. "He's 'yes sir,' 'no sir.' He's go- ing to do what [Don Brown] says. He's going to be great." ❑ Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic recruiting analyst Adam Friedman on Johnson "He's able to quickly diagnose plays and be in the right place at the right time. He does a good job with pre-snap reads and understanding what the offense is trying to do. It helps cre- ates turnovers and big stops." DID YOU KNOW? • At Nike's The Opening regional camp in Las Vegas, Johnson ran a 4.48 in the 40 and a 4.17 in the shuttle drill. He also recorded a 35.1-inch vertical jump for a Nike+ Football Rating of 125.70, good for No. 1 overall at the event. The perfor- mance earned him defensive back MVP honors and an invite to The Opening Finals. His score was eighth best in the country. • He boasts a personal record of 11.2 sec- onds in the 100-meter dash. • Helped his team win regular-season confer- ence championships as a junior and senior. • Threw two touchdown passes as a sophomore. THEY SAID IT • Longtime national recruiting guru Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network: "Johnson is a very physical ball player who can really run. He's thick and fast, so I think he could play viper at Michigan. "Even if it's not right away, he could grow into that spot too. He also has great instincts and he's played against some of the best players in that area and around the country." • Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic recruiting analyst Adam Friedman: "He's a high football IQ guy who's always in the right place at the right time. He's a tough, physical safety who can play inside the box and always seems to find the ball. "He's also a really good team leader. I really liked the way he took over the second- ary at St. John's. He was basically the field general for a really talented defense." • Rivals.com national recruiting director Mike Farrell: "Johnson isn't the biggest defensive back in the world but plays bigger than expected." Rivals rates Johnson as a four-star talent, and the No. 16 safety and No. 182 overall prospect in the country. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM