The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532537
PLAYER BIOS ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ MARCH 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 45 BY EJ HOLLAND Michigan running back signee Don- ovan Johnson was considered a five- star level prospect following a breakout freshman year at Savannah (Ga.) Cal- vary Day that saw him rush for more than 1,300 yards. Johnson had it all — size, speed and explosiveness. Then adversity struck. Johnson, who transferred to national powerhouse Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy as a sophomore, tore his ACL going into his junior campaign. He missed the entire season and saw his recruitment take a dip. However, Michigan running backs coach Tony Alford never stopped push- ing for him and eventually earned his commitment. "It's been a journey," Johnson said. "I had a lot of support from friends, family members and coaches. I got my moti- vation back. I got my body right. I'm just thankful for Coach Tony Alford and Coach [Sherrone] Moore. I love Michi- gan. They believed in me." Alford and Johnson have a special bond. After all, Alford recruited him during his time at Ohio State. As soon as he got the job at Michigan, Alford reached out to Johnson and made him a priority. "We have a great connection," John- son said. "He's been in contact with me since my freshman year. We know each other on and off the field. "When he left Ohio State to go to Michigan, that played a big role in my decision to go to Michigan. He's such a good man in general." Alford wasn't the only reason Johnson sided with the Wolverines. He made his first visit to Michigan in the summer and committed soon after. He simply felt at home in Ann Arbor. "I loved the family atmosphere," John- son said. "The first time I went there, I already knew where I was going. I love everything about Michigan. They have great coaches but also great people. It's not just about football. It's about life af- ter football. Michigan is just phenom- enal." Johnson was cleared to play as a senior but mostly rotated in and out while he worked to return to full form. The three- star prospect did have a breakout game against Florida powerhouse Cocoa High that saw him rush for more than 100 yards and a touchdown. That game gave Michigan fans a glimpse of what Johnson can be when he's fully healthy. "I can do everything," he said. "I can catch out of the backfield. I can get north and south. I can be that every-down back. I want to do all I can to help them win a national championship. That's the goal." Ranked as the No. 43 running back and No. 520 overall prospect nationally, Johnson enrolled early at Michigan and is ready to show what he can do. "It's going to benefit me a lot," he said. "It's going to help me physically and with my football. I'm excited to learn the play- book and practice with the team every day. It's time to work." ❑ Sidetracked By An ACL Injury In High School, RB Donovan Johnson Has Great Potential Johnson was named a Football University Freshman All-American after rushing for 1,336 yards and 10 touchdowns for Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day before transferring to IMG Academy in Florida. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND STATISTICS Year Games Rush Yds. TD 2024* 7 48 257 3 2023* Injured, did not play 2022* 7 26 206 4 2021** 13 170 1,336 10 * at IMG (Fla.) Academy ** at Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day HONORS • Selected to the 2024 Navy All-American Bowl. • Football University Freshman All-American in 2021. • All-Greater Savannah first-team selec on as a freshman in 2021. RECRUITMENT • Pledged to Michigan June 23, 2024, a er receiving offer in May 2024. • Picked U-M over offers from Auburn, Texas A&M, USC and others. • Recruited by U-M running backs coach Tony Alford. DID YOU KNOW? • Enrolled early at Michigan. • Was a track standout at Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day as a freshman, running a 22.47 in the 200 meters and a 51.58 in the 400. • Member of Calvary Day's state championship 4x200 relay team (1:29.75) in 2022. • Qualified for the AAU Junior Olympics. • Son of Derrick Johnson and Danielle Brown. • Father played quarterback at The Citadel. • Born Dec. 20, 2005. THEY SAID IT On3 director of scou ng and rankings Charles Power: "Donovan Johnson is one of the more interes ng and difficult evalua ons in the 2025 cycle to this point. He had a phenomenal freshman season at Calvary Day in Savannah, Ga. He's a big- me athlete and has a prototypi- cal build at running back. He transferred to IMG and played in a reserve role as a sophomore. He did not play much as a junior because he ba led an injury. It's a smart roll of the dice for Michigan." DONOVAN JOHNSON RUNNING BACK 6-0 • 213 IMG ACADEMY (FLA.) SAVANNAH, GA. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ 520 43 67 ✪ ✪ ✪ – 63 83 ✪ ✪ ✪ – 38 77 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ – 24 38 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ – 20 51 INDUSTRY 2024 Projection Johnson is not expected to see the field as a true freshman while he con nues to get reaccli- mated. Remember, Johnson tore his ACL going into his junior season and has only played in seven games over the last two and a half years. He was cleared as a senior but s ll showed some hesitancy early in the year. Johnson will need to completely get over the injury and adjust to the speed of the college game. Overall, though, he is a fascina ng prospect who could break out later on in his career.