Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Will Johnson (2) celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating the Washington Huskies during the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Will Johnson CB Michigan | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Will Johnson CB Michigan
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside Man/Press CB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 01/10/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.44 seconds (72%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.9 DOB: 03/29/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside Man/Press CB | |
| Last Updated: 01/10/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.44 seconds (72%*) | |
| Age: 21.9 DOB: 03/29/2003 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 89.6 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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81% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 41.5 | |
| Tackling: |
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62% |
| Run Defense: |
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79% |
| Coverage: |
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85% |
| Zone: |
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75% |
| Man/Press: |
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82% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Top 10
Overall Rank:
#10
Position rank:
#2
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| College Games: 31 College Snaps: 1266 | ||
ESPN RATING: 88/100
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247 RATING: 97/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jaycee Horn - South Carolina |
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89% |
| Kaiir Elam - Florida |
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87% |
| Cam Smith - South Carolina |
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81% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Legacy turned legend - that's the Will Johnson story at Michigan. Following his father Deon's footsteps to Ann Arbor, Johnson didn't just live up to the family name - he carved out his own legacy. A five-star recruit out of Grosse Pointe South, Johnson hit the ground running as the first four-year starter in his high school's history before making an immediate impact for the Wolverines. His freshman campaign earned him All-American honors, but it was his sophomore season where he truly emerged as an elite defender, earning First-Team All-American honors and powering Michigan's championship run as the defensive MVP of their national title victory.Johnson's junior year solidified his status as one of college football's premier corners. Despite missing time with a turf toe injury, he still managed to snag two picks - both returned for touchdowns - while earning second-team All-American honors. His consistency in big moments showed up repeatedly, from his game-changing interception against Washington in the national championship to his lockdown performance against Ohio State. Over three seasons, Johnson accumulated 68 tackles, 6 interceptions, and 17 pass breakups while starting 22 games.
The bloodlines run deep with Johnson, but he's created his own path. His father may have won three Big Ten titles at Michigan, but Will one-upped him with a national championship ring. From dominating both sides of the ball in high school (42 catches, 667 yards, 6 TDs as a senior) to becoming Michigan's most reliable corner, Johnson's athletic evolution has been remarkable. His special teams impact as a punt returner in high school (19.3 yards per return) hints at the pure athleticism that makes him such an intriguing NFL prospect.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Rare blend of size and fluidity - maintains his backpedal integrity against shifty receivers while using his 6'2" frame to bully smaller wideouts at the line
- Elite football IQ shows up in zone coverage - anticipates route combinations and jumps underneath throws with veteran savvy beyond his years
- Nasty competitive streak in press coverage - uses his length to disrupt timing and shows some real dog when fighting through blocks
- Exceptional ball skills translated to game-changing plays - showed up huge in biggest moments with pick-six against USC and championship game INT
- Patient technician in man coverage who trusts his technique - rarely bites on double moves and stays square through stem phase of routes
- Brings running back physicality to tackling - steps downhill with bad intentions and consistently wraps up with proper form
- Special awareness near boundary - uses sideline as extra defender and shows natural feel for leveraging receivers out of bounds
- Scheme versatile difference-maker who thrived in both press-man and zone looks - projects as day one starter in any defensive system
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Can get grabby downfield when beaten - needs to trust recovery speed rather than reaching for jersey and drawing flags
- Occasionally gets caught peeking in backfield looking for picks - gambling mentality can leave him vulnerable to double moves
- Change of direction ability doesn't match straight-line speed - some stiffness shows up when transitioning out of breaks
- Missed tackle rate ticked up as a junior - tends to drop head and lunge rather than breaking down in space
- Press technique needs refinement - relies more on athleticism than consistent hand placement when jamming at line
Scouting Report: Summary
The NFL cornerback prototype is changing, and Will Johnson represents the new wave. His rare combination of length, football IQ, and competitive fire makes him a scheme-proof defender who can match up with the league's evolving receiver archetypes. While some corners his size struggle with smaller, shifty receivers, Johnson's fluid hips and patient technique allow him to mirror all types. His ability to determine route concepts pre-snap and communicate adjustments reminds me of Stephon Gilmore coming out of South Carolina.Johnson's ceiling in the NFL will largely depend on cleaning up some fixable flaws. His occasional gambling streak needs to be tempered, and his press technique could use more consistency. But the foundation is there for a legitimate CB1 who can travel with top receivers. His performance in big games - particularly in the College Football Playoff - showed he's built for the bright lights. The turf toe injury that limited him in 2024 is worth monitoring, but his three-year track record of durability prior to that is encouraging.
In a passing league starved for shutdown corners, Johnson has the tools to be a franchise cornerstone. His scheme versatility, combined with the alpha mentality he brings to the position, will have defensive coordinators salivating. While he may need some technical refinement early in his NFL career, Johnson projects as an immediate impact starter with Pro Bowl upside by year two. He's a top-10 talent in this class who should hear his name called early on day one.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
How other scouting services rate Will Johnson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
6.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
2.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.