The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1508023
OCTOBER 2023 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 29 Johnson's freshman year, it just involved getting on the field — which he did, with 4 catches, including a touchdown, and 61 yards. His sophomore year, it became solidifying his standing on the team. No problem there, with Johnson quadru- pling his catches and yards. His third and fourth years involved technical training, understanding how the body works. Of course, by this time, John- son had years under the watchful eye of Michigan strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert. And this year? Johnson's work from the neck up gets a major mention. "Every day, he was talking about be- ing a leader," Beckford stressed. "I train a lot of Division I guys, and I saw a dif- ferent side of Cornelius this year. He's taken on a leadership role. Let's say we start our training at 8 a.m. The kids will come in a few minutes early and do a small stretch. Then we start our actual warm-up. "Cory was here 30 minutes before, and sometimes, even longer than that. He was doing his own routine before we even get anything going. I'm like, OK, now you're starting to do things like a pro. He learned a lot from seeing the older guys, like Aidan Hutchinson. He's getting older and needs to show that he's a leader. I just saw a natural leader in the kid this year. "Every single day, every drill we did, he was asking questions: 'What do you see? How do I need to get better at this, coming in and out of my breaks?' We really break it down, and he was just on top of it, every single day." A HEAD-TURNING SHOWDOWN Ethan Long is a standout defensive back at the Brunswick School, where Johnson matriculated. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound safety is not only interested in Michigan, but has Ohio State, Penn State, Notre Dame and Michigan State looking at him, among others. He de- cided to take a heat check not long ago, gauging his skills against an accom- plished college wideout. "It's all about leadership, right?" Beckford observed. "Ethan Long decided to challenge Cory, and wanted to go up against him, one-on-one. Ethan, he's a dominant defensive back. He said, 'OK, I want to see what Cory is all about.' He stepped up to Cory — we were outside training — and lined up with him. "Cory was like, 'All right.' He told the quarterback he was going to run a go ball, a fade. Ethan lined up with him, and Ethan has been locking everyone up that he's been going against. He lined up against Cory, and as soon as he got to the line, Cory gave him two moves and took off. Ethan came back to me and was like, 'I've never seen a tall guy like that move like that.' "It was a great feeling. I don't get to see Cory as much, because he's at Michigan. But I get to see Ethan every single day. It's just great to see Ethan dominate every single one he goes against — even college guys, this kid is dominating — and then Cory gets around, and he cannot stop him. Not once. Cory is just killing him. It was a friendly competition, and I'm like, OK, Cory is ready to go this year. He's ready to go." Ready enough that his old friend and mentor has Johnson among the best of the best in college football for 2023. "I honestly see him as one of the best in the country this year, if not the best," Beckford stressed. "He's in the top five." In addition to the physical skills, lead- ership and drive to succeed, Johnson has the type of backing — at Michigan, and at home — to reach for the highest rung, Beckford assured. "Number one, it's his circle," he said. "His family. The way he goes about the people who care about him and he cares about, it's unreal. It's a beautiful thing to see. The way he is with his brothers. The way he is with the kids here that train, from the elementary and middle school kids on up. He's always willing to give these kids a hand and show them how to do things the right way. "He's just a loving kid, man, and he's smart. This is a kid you could see running for president one day. He's a brilliant guy. And I can tell you this. He's a true Michi- gan Man. "He's all about Michigan, man. He loves it, loves everything about Ann Arbor. He loves the student body. Ev- erything — the coaches, the players. He always talks about how it's a true family. That's a great thing to see, because at home, that's what it is for him. Obvi- ously, at the training facility, in his actual home, and in the state of Connecticut — we all love him. The fact that he's get- ting that same love there, it's a beautiful thing." When that love spills over into a cel- ebration in Columbus, it becomes a flood of friendly feelings, ones that can last a lifetime. Johnson doesn't worry about all that. For him, the pursuit continues. "Continue just climbing — no setbacks, no regrets," he said. "By the end of the year, looking back on it with a positive mindset. Leaving it all out there. "It's just thriving. Just keep thriving." ❏ Johnson Sees A Shot At Again Leading Michigan Receivers Grad wideout Cornelius Johnson has seen and accomplished plenty during his Michigan football career. He's witnessed the return of Michigan dominance, with two straight Big Ten titles, two College Football Playoff appearances, and of course, two resounding victories over longtime nemesis Ohio State. What Johnson hasn't done in a Michigan uniform involves leading the Wolverines in receiving yardage in multiple seasons. That could happen this year, although he'd gladly trade the numbers for a zero on the right-hand side of the Wolverines' win-loss record. Johnson secured 40 catches for 627 yards and 3 touchdowns his junior year in 2021 — a strong sea- son, and the best among all Michigan performers. That year, veteran U-M pass catcher Ronnie Bell sat out the season after injuring a knee in the opener. Bell returned in 2022, enjoying an excellent final campaign in maize and blue. He secured 62 catches for 889 yards and 4 touchdowns, before moving on to the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers. Johnson put up solid numbers (32, 499, 6), and obviously devastated Ohio State in that game. Now Johnson has a chance to again lead Michigan in receiving. It won't be easy. Senior Roman Wilson has emerged as another top target for junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Through three games, Wilson posted 12 catches, 209 yards and 6 touchdowns, compared to Johnson's 13 catches for 239 yards and 1 TD. It's a friendly competition, and both Wolverines wish the other well in the process of winning. But it's a battle within the battle worth watching. — John Borton