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Summer Scouting Series: Football Scout 365 Analyst Brandon Lundberg shares his initial insights on key draft-eligible college football players in anticipation of the 2024 college football season.
Will Johnson Overview: Michigan cornerback Will Johnson has been one of the best players at his position for two seasons now, but how does his 2025 NFL Draft scouting report stack up?
Johnson’s star potential was visible from the start of his football career. As a senior at Grosse Pointe South High School near Detroit, Michigan, Johnson excelled as a two-way player, catching 42 passes for 667 yards and six touchdowns on offense, and on defense, he recorded an interception and 12 pass deflections.
As a five-star recruit, Johnson had numerous suitors, but his father, Deon Johnson, played cornerback for the Michigan Wolverines in the 1990s. Playing in-state as a legacy player for a championship-caliber team won over the younger Johnson.
Johnson quickly surpassed his father's legacy at Michigan. As a true freshman, he became a Freshman All-American, tallying 27 tackles, including two tackles for loss, three interceptions, and three pass breakups. In 2023, Johnson improved even more, contributing significantly to Michigan's National Championship squad with 27 tackles, a tackle for loss, four interceptions (including a pick-six), and four pass deflections. He famously went toe-to-toe with Marvin Harrison Jr. and helped Michigan win a national title under Jim Harbaugh.
Now, Johnson remains as a returning first-team All-American, first-team All-Big Ten performer, and a definitive pro prospect. In addition, he is the highest-rated player in EA Sports College Football 2025.
Scouting Report:
Measurables
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 202 pounds
2023 Stats:27 tackles (1 for loss), 4 interceptions (1 pick-six), 4 pass deflections
Ceiling Potential: Johnson is graded as having Elite Starter Potential at the NFL level. His polished technique, physical attributes, and strong football IQ provide a solid foundation for success at the next level.
Playstyle & Scheme Fit: Will Johnson primarily aligns as an outside cornerback, with notable experience in the slot as well. His skill set and physical build make him an ideal fit for a team that employs a mix of man and zone coverages, where his length and agility can be best utilized. His ability to effectively play from depth and bait quarterbacks into making dangerous throws fits well with multiple coverage schemes, including Cover 3, 4, and 6, as well as man-to-man.
Player Comparisons: Johnson's combination of size, speed, and coverage ability has drawn comparisons to some of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. According to many NFL scouts, his technical refinement and ability to lock down receivers are reminiscent of Patrick Surtain II. Surtain, known for his discipline and high football IQ, has quickly become one of the league's premier corners. Johnson exhibits similar traits, making him a potential shutdown corner at the next level.
Key Strengths:
Technical Refinement
Great Closing Burst/Speed
Lock-Down Cornerback
Where he excels: Johnson effectively plays man-to-man coverage with patience, remaining square with good footwork. He possesses a strong football IQ with excellent reactionary quickness that NFL defensive coordinators covet. He is also a physical player who can get in the face of receivers and challenge them at the line of scrimmage. Additionally, he has the physicality to squeeze a receiver against the sideline while in phase. Johnson excels in zone coverage, where he deploys a smooth backpedal, explosive trigger, and burst that allows him to transition downhill and make plays on the football. His football instincts make him a standout in zone defense, where his excellent reactionary quickness shows up on his tape.
Key Weaknesses:
Turning to Locate the Ball
Two-Handed Punches in Press Coverage
Consistency as Open Field One-on-One Tackler
Improvement Areas: Looking ahead to the 2024 season, Johnson must focus on several key areas to solidify his status as a top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He needs to improve his ability to locate the ball in man coverage, refine his press coverage technique, and enhance his open-field tackling. These areas of improvement are coachable and can significantly boost his draft stock.
Advanced Data and Statistics: Johnson has consistently excelled, making a significant impact on Michigan's defense for the last two seasons. In 2023, he registered 27 tackles, 4 interceptions (including a pick-six), and 4 pass deflections. His knack for creating turnovers and breaking up passes is reflected in his statistics, showcasing his versatility as a defender adept at adapting to various coverage schemes. As per PFF, Will Johnson was ranked 4th in terms of QBR allowed among cornerbacks who had at least 200 pass coverage snaps in 2023.
2025 NFL Draft Projection: Entering the 2025 NFL Draft cycle, Johnson grades out as a top 10 NFL Draft prospect. His combination of size, speed, and coverage skills makes him one of the top overall prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft cycle.
Summary Analysis: Johnson is a quintessential lockdown corner who can effectively erase half the field, granting defensive coordinators greater creativity with coverage schemes and blitzes. His combination of size, athleticism, and technical skills makes him a top prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft. With continued development, Johnson has the potential to be a true blue-chip prospect, a top-five pick at the CB position, and one of the standard-bearers of the 2020s on the NFL Draft stage.