The Michigan Wolverines pass defense took a slight step back in production during the 2024 season. The Wolverines previously allowed 15.3 completions per game (T-8th), a 55.2% completion percentage (9th), 157.0 passing yards per game (2nd), and 0.5 passing touchdowns per game (1st) in 2023. This season, they regressed, allowing 20.5 completions per game (T-115th), a 61.0% completion percentage (T-74th), 218.3 passing yards per game (66th), and 1.5 passing touchdowns per game (T-64th) in 2024.
Their regression could be attributed to injuries to their elite cornerback, Will Johnson. Johnson was limited to six games in his junior year because of a shoulder injury, which caused him to miss Week 5 and their final five games due to turf toe in his left foot. When the All-American played, he was dominant, recording 14 tackles, two interceptions, two pick-sixes, and three pass deflections.
The Michigan Wolverines elite CB reveals his plans for 2025
Since WIll Johnson completed three seasons of college football, he is eligible to declare for the draft. Johnson released a statement saying he will forego his final year of college eligibility and declare for the 2025 NFL Draft. Here’s what the elite cornerback’s statement read.
“I want to start by thanking God for guiding me every step of the way. I would be nothing without Him and his hand on my life.
“To my coaches — Thank you to Coach Harbaugh for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play at Michigan, it was a true honor. Thank you to Coach Herb, Coach Minter and Coach Clink for the role each of you played in helping me develop, both on and off the field, during my time at Michigan. Thank you, Coach Morgan and Coach Wink, for the knowledge and support you’ve provided to me throughout this past year. It means the world to me. Thank you to SMSB and all my high school and youth coaches that helped me get to this point — it’s been a dream come true.
“To my family — Thank you for being the best support system and making this process so easy for me. I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to focus on what was most important to me — my dreams on the field.
“To the Michigan fans — You always show up and support when it means the most. Go Blue!
“And lastly, to my teammates, my brothers — Thank you for pushing me every day through the ups and downs and becoming a real family that I will have for the rest of my life. Love you boys.
“With that being said, I am officially declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.”
Official announcement from former Michigan CB Will Johnson that he is declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft: pic.twitter.com/dUpxonJyFW
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 11, 2024
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The former 4-star recruit had a great career in Ann Arbor
Will Johnson committed to the Michigan Wolverines as a four-star recruit for the 2022 season. Johnson had a phenomenal career in Ann Arbor, recording 68 tackles, nine interceptions, three pick-sixes, and ten pass deflections in 32 career games and 22 starts. His accolades include being named to the True Freshman All-American Team (247 Sports and PFF) in 2022, All Big-10 First Team (Big Ten Coaches), First Team All-American (Sports Illustrated), Second Team All-American (The Athletic and USA Today), a National Champion, and a Defensive MVP of the National Championship in 2023, and an All Big-10 Honorable Mention in 2024.
Where does the elite defensive back rank among prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft?
Will Johnson is considered one of the top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. While Bleacher Report and PFF have him ranked as the second-best cornerback prospect behind Colorado Buffaloes’ Travis Hunter, ESPN has him as the best. Either way, the expectation is for Johnson to be a top-five to ten pick in next year’s draft.
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