The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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FEBRUARY 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 27 time. No college program has won more games than Michigan in the last two seasons since Johnson became a college football player. "It means everything," Johnson said, reflecting on his choice. "This is the reason I came here. I'm glad I made the right decision to be here. This is a per- fect opportunity for me, perfect situa- tion for me, and I couldn't ask for any- thing better. I just thank God it worked out the way it did." After flashing with five starts and 3 interceptions as a freshman, Johnson took control of a starting cornerback job and was one of the Wolverines' top defenders in 2023. He was a consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection and named a first-team All-American by Sports Illustrated, registering 27 tack- les, 4 interceptions and 8 pass breakups. He shined brightly in the biggest of games, too, starting with a 30-24 win on Nov. 25 over those same Buckeyes that recruited him. Johnson established the tone with an interception and 18-yard return to set up the touchdown that put Michigan up 7-0. The Wolverines never trailed. In a 27-20 overtime win over Al- abama in the CFP semifinal at the Rose Bowl, Johnson allowed no receptions on 33 coverage snaps. And then there was Monday night, Jan. 8 — the final night of the college season — a spot that, coming to Michi- gan, Johnson didn't know he'd reach. "That was the goal," Johnson said. "I knew we had a lot of work to do to get there. I wouldn't say I knew we were go- ing to be here, but it's amazing to be here." The challenge was stiff. To win their first national championship since 1997, the Wolverines would have to contain Washington's high-flying passing game — led by Heisman Trophy runner-up Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback and three future NFL receivers. Johnson took the podium on media day two days before the game in Houston, and the overwhelming majority of the questions tossed his way had to do with Penix, wide receiver Rome Odunze and playing against an aerial attack the likes of which Michigan didn't see in the Big Ten. Few and far between were the ques- tions toward Washington's players about going against Johnson and the Michigan defense. Big mistake. "Those guys played with no fear," de- fensive coordinator Jesse Minter said of his group. "Honestly, it was another week of hearing all about the other team's offense and how good they were. You know what? Nobody really talked about how good our defense was. "We took that personal; the players took it personal. We were at media day, and all we got asked about was how good their quarterback was, how good their receivers were, how good their offensive line was …" Afterward, all anybody wanted to talk about was Johnson's interception, grad- uate defensive back Mike Sainristil's pick and the way Michigan's defense played in holding the Huskies to 5 yards per pass and only 13 points on 13 drives. Johnson's snag came on the very first play of the second half, setting up a Michigan field goal that put U-M up 10 points, 20-10, after a stagnant second quarter offensively. It took great con- centration to come away with the batted ball and hang onto it in bounds. "That was such a tone-setting play for how the half went," Minter said. "We talked at halftime about we needed two turnovers, I thought, to control the sec- ond half. Lo and behold, the first play, Will makes a great play." Head coach Jim Harbaugh said that Johnson was one of the most vocal play- ers at halftime discussing how the Wol- verines needed to get the momentum back. He willed it. "That was phenomenal," Harbaugh raved. "In these type of games, big-time players make big time-plays," Johnson said. "I just give all the credit to our coaches and all the people that helped us prepare for these games. That's just what it is. We prepare for it, so we were ready for the moment." For his performance, Johnson was named as the Defensive MVP of the CFP National Championship game while se- nior running back Blake Corum took Offensive MVP honors. The Michigan roster will look quite a bit different when it takes the field Aug. 31, with Corum and double-digit players projected to be drafted to the NFL. Johnson's time for the pros is com- ing. He's eligible after next season, and he hopes to make his junior year a great one. "We have a great group of guys that will be back next year that are super talented in my class, and other guys that will come back, too," Johnson said, adding that he "definitely" believes the Wolverines can run it back. ❏ ❱ Johnson "I'm glad I made the right decision to be here. This is a perfect opportunity for me, perfect situation for me, and I couldn't ask for anything better."