The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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DECEMBER 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 25 two of his best games in Michigan's two biggest wins to date — 5 tackles and a pass breakup against USC, and 2 breakups with a stop versus the Spartans. "Q, being an older guy, has definitely taken steps," head coach Sherrone Moore observed. "He was fighting through some things, and definitely pushed through it. He's a guy who has been here for so long. Seen the ups, seen the downs, and really pushed through any adversity that has come his way. He's really been a leader, a culture provider that we need in the locker room. "We're glad we brought him back. He's provided depth, and obviously a starter for us. He's a tone-setter and a leader on that defense." Johnson himself takes pride in the jour- ney he's undergone in Ann Arbor. He's faced injury, consistently strong com- petition, and the doubts that any player has who looks to knock down the wall between backup and starter. He's enjoy- ing this season, and knowing his part in it came about in no small part due to his own persistence. "It's really hard," he admitted. "It's a grind, but it's a fun grind. When you start off injury-plagued, it's just being able to fight back, to scratch and claw. At a place like Michigan, they're bringing in the best guys, year-in and year-out, who are trying to take your job. That's what the coaches are doing each year — trying to get a better guy to replace you. "It's always fun, if you are a competitive guy, to be able to look that face-to-face in the mirror, and see if you are the man." He was the man when it counted against MSU, and that counts for plenty, he noted. The following week, someone asked him about playing No. 1 Oregon, and Johnson said it was big, no doubt. But he wasn't taking anything away from the annual battle pitting neighbor against neighbor. "We get the extra energy beating Mich- igan State," he said. "That matters more, honestly. Rivalry games like that — that mean so much to the tradition — are what you come to Michigan for. Playing the No. 1 team is just a bonus." The Wolverines haven't taken full ad- vantage of big-game opportunities this season. Showdowns with Texas and Or- egon didn't go their way, but there hasn't been a lessening of confidence, at least in Johnson's case. "We've got enough, at each position, to be able to beat any team in college foot- ball," he insisted. Unfortunately for Michigan, all posi- tions haven't been created equal, in terms of availability. In the defensive secondary, for instance, U-M lost captain and senior safety Rod Moore before the campaign ever began. Moore suffered a season- ending knee injury, while All-America cornerback Will Johnson also has been out of the lineup due to an undisclosed medical issue. The other Johnson — Quinten — con- cedes nothing when it comes to the setbacks. Asked about Will Johnson's absence from the lineup and what dif- ference it should make, Quinten Johnson responded: "Nothing. He's a great player, obviously a leader of our defense. Top- three, top-four draft pick. At the end of the day, the standard is the standard. If he can't be in the lineup, somebody has to do his job." That's been his approach, and he's got- ten help with it from someone who has been there. Johnson regularly taps into the wisdom of Brad Hawkins, a former Michigan safety now working as a gradu- ate assistant on Sherrone Moore's staff. Hawkins has been his go-to, Johnson noted. "He's always like a big brother, making sure that the guys understand the stan- dard of Michigan, know the standard, and uphold it," Johnson said. "He's had a great touch this year with the staff, making sure we embody what it means to be a Michi- gan man." Quinten Johnson knows it well now. He's looking to finish as strongly as pos- sible, on a road that's offered a bit of ev- erything. ❑ 'Q' Proves A Gamer Not so many years ago, those players logging 50 on-field games for the Wolverines stood at the very top of Michigan's all-time list. With expanded schedules, the COVID-year free pass, extended postsea- son, etc., that's all changing. Sixth-year Michigan safety Quinten Johnson had appeared in 55 career games through the Indiana game in Week 11. That leads the 2024 Michigan team in appearances, and he is climbing up the all-time list of most games played. Here is a look at that list, 10 games into Michigan's season. With 55 games played through Nov. 9, Johnson ranks sixth all-time among the list of players who appeared the greatest num- ber of times on the gridiron for Michigan. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL MICHIGAN ALL-TIME GAMES PLAYED Player Games Years 1. Michael Barrett 64 2018-23 2. Mike Sainristil 62 2019-23 3. Cornelius Johnson 61 2019-23 4. Jake Moody 60 2018-22 5. Brad Hawkins 56 2017-21 6. Quinten Johnson 55 2020-24 7. Kalel Mullings 54 2020-24 8. Jordan Glasgow 52 2016-19 8. Khaleke Hudson 52 2016-19 8. Makari Paige 52 2020-24 11. Brandon Watson 51 2015-18 11. Mason Cole 51 2014-17 11. Craig Roh 51 2009-12 11. Chris Wormley 51 2013-16 11. Ben Gedeon 51 2013-16 11. Sione Houma 51 2013-16 11. Joe Bolden 51 2012-15 Michigan won't be making the College Football Playoff for a fourth straight year, or finding their way to the Big Ten championship game. That means Johnson is likely to max out at 58 career games played, good for No. 5 on the list, over his mentor, Brad Hawkins. Graduate tailback Kalel Mullings could reach 57 games, while senior safety Makari Paige has a shot at 55. — John Borton