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: 12/02/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.44 seconds (72%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.8 DOB: 03/29/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside Man/Press CB | |
| Last Updated: 12/02/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.44 seconds (72%*) | |
| Age: 21.8 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: | 43.6 | |
| Tackling: |
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62% |
| Run Defense: |
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79% |
| Coverage: |
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83% |
| Zone: |
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75% |
| Man/Press: |
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81% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Mid
Overall Rank:
#11
Position rank:
#3
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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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82% |
| Cam Smith - South Carolina |
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82% |
| Eli Ricks - Alabama |
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81% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Will Johnson stepped into a starting role for the Michigan Wolverines as a true freshman in 2022, continuing his family's legacy. The Grosse Pointe, Michigan native made an immediate impact, earning Freshman All-American honors with 27 tackles, 3 interceptions and 6 pass breakups. Johnson's sophomore campaign in 2023 saw him elevate his game further, helping lead Michigan to a national championship while securing first-team All-American and All-Big Ten accolades.In 2023, Johnson cemented his status as a premier defensive back in college football. He recorded 27 tackles, 4 interceptions (including a pick-six), and 8 pass breakups for the Wolverines' championship-winning defense. Johnson's performance earned him Defensive MVP honors in Michigan's national title game victory over Washington. His junior season in 2024 has already seen Johnson notch another pick-six along with multiple pass breakups.
Standing at 6'2" and 202 pounds, Johnson brings prototypical size to the cornerback position. A former wide receiver in high school, Johnson has showcased natural ball skills and playmaking instincts in the secondary. His combination of length, fluid hips, and explosive closing speed allow him to match up with a variety of receivers. Johnson's versatility in both man and zone coverage schemes has caught the eye of NFL scouts.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional size and length for the cornerback position, with a lean, athletic 6'2" frame
- Displays elite short-area quickness and change of direction ability for a player his size
- Fluid hips allow for smooth transitions when flipping to run vertically with receivers
- Excellent ball skills and body control to high-point passes and make plays on the ball
- Possesses the long speed to carry receivers deep down the field
- Physical at the line of scrimmage in press coverage, using his length to disrupt routes
- Quick processor who recognizes route combinations and jumps underneath throws
- Versatile defender capable of playing man, zone, or off coverage at a high level
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Can occasionally be overaggressive in coverage, leading to penalties or big plays allowed
- Sometimes relies too heavily on athleticism rather than refined technique
- Tackling technique and angles in run support are inconsistent at times
- Will need to improve strength to consistently jam and redirect NFL receivers
- Can be a step slow to locate and track the ball on deep passes at times
Scouting Report: Summary
Will Johnson brings a rare blend of size, athleticism, and ball skills to the cornerback position. His ability to mirror-and-match in man coverage, coupled with his instincts in zone, make him a scheme-diverse prospect. Johnson's length and fluid hips allow him to contend with both bigger X receivers and shifty slot targets.Johnson's ballhawking tendencies and knack for creating turnovers will have NFL defensive coordinators salivating. While there's room for technical refinement, his physical tools and on-field processing should translate immediately to the next level. His skill set is tailor-made for a pattern-matching system that allows him to play aggressively and trust his instincts.
In a league where pass defense is at a premium, Johnson's shutdown potential and turnover production make him a blue-chip prospect. His combination of measurables, collegiate production, and scheme versatility position him as a potential early day-one impact player and long-term building block in an NFL secondary.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
How other scouting services rate Will Johnson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
6.6
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.