The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1451622
2022 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE — cornerback with his size, length, speed and ball skills. He just has the whole package." Along with Johnson's elite-level skills comes a relentless work ethic. He has always had a chip on his shoulder. Whether that's because he didn't get as much attention as other high-end de- fensive back prospects because he's from Detroit and not the south, or because he gets knocked for not having verified track times, nobody really knows. But Johnson doesn't like to talk about his doubters. He just trains harder. While other kids camped in the sum- mer heat and made a ton of college visits, Johnson worked in silence under tutelage of his father. Their training sessions sometimes lasted for hours. If a rep wasn't perfect, Deon would command him to do it. And again. And again. And again until it was to his liking. Deon has always been hard on his son. But Will may be even harder on him- self. He knows he has the chance to be a special player at Michigan and wants to capitalize on that opportunity. "He really wants to get the work in," Deon said. "I got texts from him throughout the day that asked when were we working out. He wanted to be out there all day. Sometimes he had things to do after school, and he was up- set he couldn't get the work in. He enjoys that part of the process. He knows the more he works the better he can become. "I'm glad he's going to Michigan, but I want him to lay his own foundation and make a name for himself. I want him to be a leader from the time he walks on campus." Deon always served as a source of in- spiration for Johnson. When asked if Will is going to be a bet- ter player than he was at Michigan, Deon just laughed and said, "Yes." And that's the goal Will has always had. He doesn't just want to live up to his father's legacy — he wants to exceed it. "I have huge aspira- tions to be better than him," the younger Johnson said. "I give a lot of credit to him. I learned everything from him. It's a great honor to be able to follow after him and know I went to the same program with a chance to have an even better career. "I wouldn't be here without him. He shaped me into the player I am today. To this day, I still get tips from him and learn from him. I wouldn't be the player I am today without him. It's a great accom- plishment to finally be here." Finally is the best way to put it. After hours of work with his high school team, club 7-on-7 team, a private speed coach and sessions with Deon, as well as countless changes and uncer- tainty at Michigan, Johnson is finally a Wolverine. Despite all the issues along his journey to Ann Arbor, one thing always remained constant — the at-home feeling. Johnson was born a Wolverine, and now, he's of- ficially a Michigan Man. "I'm at the right place," Johnson said. "I'm happy with Michigan and am glad I'm here. Michigan just always felt like home. The education is great. I'm close to the guys in my class. Overall, I just felt comfortable with Michigan. That's what made me chose to come here. "Now, I want to win a national cham- pionship and win the Jim Thorpe award. I have high goals. I think we have a bright future ahead. All we have to do is come in and work, and we'll keep the tradition of winning championships going." ❑ MARCH 2022 THE WOLVERINE 33 THEY SAID IT • On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power after watching Johnson at an Under Amour All-American Game practice: "I was probably most impressed with his ball skills and instincts. We saw him jump a bunch of routes. The receiver and basketball backgrounds showed up when the ball was in the air. He just got his hands on a lot of passes. I'm not sure if Johnson is a burner in terms of long speed, but I also didn't see him out of phase much. He's a smooth, coordinated mover and that helps." • Power on comparing Johnson to Denver Broncos defen- sive back Justin Simmons: "Both were 6-foot-3 defensive backs who showed high-end ball skills while lining up at safety and receiver. They also both played basketball. … Sim- mons ultimately settled in as a safety at Boston College before becoming one of the better players at the position in the NFL." • On3 senior national recruiting analyst Gerry Hamilton after watching Johnson at Under Amour All-American Game week: "The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder is a smooth mover in coverage and has plus ball skills. We didn't see him beat very often in prac- tice. The Michigan signee also had a strong showing in the game with good coverage on multiple plays. It's a strong cycle at corner, but Johnson's showing helped separate him from the pack." On3.com's Charles Power compared Johnson to two-time second- team All-Pro Justin Simmons, a safety for the Denver Broncos who played both safety and corner at Boston College. Both "showed high-end ball skills while lining up at safety and receiver" as high school prospects per Power. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND