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: 05/31/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.44 seconds (72%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.3 DOB: 03/29/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside Man/Press CB | |
| Last Updated: 05/31/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.44 seconds (72%*) | |
| Age: 21.3 DOB: 03/29/2003 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 91.5 / 100 | |
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| 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: | 42.7 | |
| Tackling: |
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73% |
| Run Defense: |
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79% |
| Coverage: |
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96% |
| Zone: |
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93% |
| Man/Press: |
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91% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Top 5
Overall Rank:
#2
Position rank:
#1
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| College Games: 24 College Snaps: 913 | ||
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) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Surtain II - Alabama |
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79% |
| Devon Witherspoon - Illinois |
|
75% |
| Trent McDuffie - Washington |
|
74% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Will Johnson's star potential was evident from the start of his football career. Growing up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Johnson excelled as a two-way player at Grosse Pointe South High School, where he made 42 catches for 667 yards and six touchdowns on offense and secured one interception and 12 pass deflections on defense as a senior.
Johnson, a five-star recruit, had numerous offers but chose to follow in his father's footsteps and play for the Michigan Wolverines. His father, Deon Johnson, played cornerback for Michigan in the 1990s, making Will a legacy player for the team. Will quickly made a name for himself, earning Freshman All-American honors with 27 tackles, including two tackles for loss, three interceptions, and three pass breakups in his first year.
In 2023, Johnson's performance reached new heights as he contributed to Michigan's National Championship victory with 27 tackles, one tackle for loss, four interceptions, including a pick-six, and four pass deflections. His standout games included shutting down top receivers and making crucial plays in high-stakes matches. Johnson's college career is marked by his All-American and All-Big Ten honors and his reputation as a top NFL prospect.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Excellent size and length, providing a physical presence on the field.
- Elite acceleration and explosive speed, allowing for quick recovery and closing gaps.
- Outstanding foot speed and agility, enhancing his ability to cover diverse routes.
- Quick adaptability to different routes and offensive schemes.
- Fluid hip transitions and smooth directional changes, critical for effective coverage.
- Instinctive and disciplined, able to read plays and adjust techniques quickly.
- Strong physicality in press coverage, capable of disrupting receivers' routes.
- Exceptional ball skills and turnover potential, leveraging his background as a receiver.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Can sometimes give up inside leverage too early in press-man coverage.
- Needs improvement in footwork and transitions from press to coverage.
- Susceptible to double moves and stop-and-go routes.
- Occasionally struggles with maintaining low pad level on inside breaks.
- At times, overcommits with physicality, leading to penalties or missed tackles.
Scouting Report: Summary
Will Johnson has the tools to be an impact player in the NFL. His combination of size, speed, and ball skills makes him a versatile defender capable of excelling in multiple coverage schemes. His ability to read plays and react quickly sets him apart, making him a valuable asset in both man and zone coverage.
However, Johnson's game is not without flaws. He needs to refine his technique in press coverage and improve his footwork to avoid getting beat on double moves. Additionally, his physical style can sometimes lead to penalties, and he must work on maintaining better pad level to enhance his effectiveness on inside routes.
Overall, Johnson's upside is off the charts. If he can address his limited weaknesses, he has the potential to become a top-tier cornerback in the NFL. His physical attributes and football IQ give him a strong foundation to build upon, and with the right coaching, he could develop into a shutdown corner at the next level.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
How other scouting services rate Will Johnson (Overall Rank)
*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.