Will Johnson had an impressive college career at Michigan, where he helped the team win a National Championship and earned All-Big Ten honors during his career. Here is a 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report on the shutdown Michigan cornerback, Will Johnson.
2025 NFL Draft: Will Johnson Scouting Report
Measurables
Height- 6’2″
Weight- 202 lbs
Player Background
Will Johnson was a four-star recruit from Grosse Pointe South High School in Michigan. He followed in his father’s footsteps, Deon Johnson, a former Michigan Wolverines defensive back, and committed to play football for Michigan. Johnson started on a top-10 Michigan team as a true freshman. He followed up a promising freshman season with an even better sophomore campaign, helping the team win the National Championship and earning the National Championship Game Defensive MVP for his stellar performance in the final game of the season. Johnson’s junior season was cut short due to injury, but he had a promising start to the season that included two pick-sixes.
Strengths
What stands out most about Johnson is how smart a football player he is. Johnson possesses incredible instincts and play recognition. He reads the quarterback well and often knows exactly where the quarterback plans to go with the football. In both of Johnson’s pick-six plays last season he showcased this ability masterfully. His interception versus Fresno State was particularly impressive as he immediately read a screen pass was coming and then quickly jumped on the screen pass with perfect timing during the play for an interception return. His route anticipation is arguably the best in the entire 2025 draft class, and it helps him thrive in zone coverage.
Johnson combines his high football IQ with incredible ball skills, which makes him a dangerous cornerback for quarterbacks to challenge. He brought in nine interceptions over his three years at Michigan. Johnson is also an amazing athlete who moves with good quickness and has great change-of-direction speed.
Weaknesses
Johnson gets beat deep down the field more than he should for a cornerback of his caliber. He needs to do a better job at turning his head on deep throws, and he sometimes draws penalties by being too physical. He’s also susceptible to double moves. While Johnson’s aggressive play style typically works in his favor, he occasionally mistimes things and allows a big play to happen.
Johnson is a willing tackler and is generally good in run support. However, he does miss some tackles in one-on-one situations. Johnson has also dealt with some injuries throughout his college career, including knee surgery in 2023 and a toe injury that ended his season early in 2024.
Potential Team Fits
NFL Projection
Johnson is an extremely talented cornerback prospect. He is one of the smartest cornerbacks to come out of college in recent years, and he has excellent size, strength and athleticism to go along with his great instincts. Johnson excels most in zone coverage, but he is consistently good in man coverage as well. With his football IQ, athletic traits, comfort in both man and zone coverage, and the level of competition he has faced in college including top receivers like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze he should quickly transition well to the NFL. Johnson will need to limit the number of big plays he allows vertically down the field, and continue to develop his press coverage ability, but if he can, he has the ability to be a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback in the NFL.
Prospect Grade
Early 1st Round
Main Photo: Junfu Han – Imagn Images
