Rivals: Will Johnson in Top 5 Defensive Performers @ Under Armour Practice
CB, Will Johnson, Grosse Pointe (Mich.) South - The 6-foot-2 plus cornerback looks that part along with very good length. Johnson showed up in 1-on-1s making play after play. Playing in off technique he did a good job with route recognition and keeping leverage on top of the receivers and flipping his hips. Utilizing good closing speed he was able to make a few pass break-ups. The Michigan signee is the No. 20 player in the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Full list: Top Performers Day 1
December 30th, 2021 at 9:27 AM ^
*via 24/7, not Rivals.
- Mods, please edit.
December 30th, 2021 at 9:51 AM ^
If he's not a starter on opening day, he will be before conference play begins.
December 30th, 2021 at 12:27 PM ^
He's a good player, but there's not a clear open spot for him and he'll have to beat out some talented guys older than him to make that happen. Not saying he can't, but that's a bold prediction.
December 30th, 2021 at 10:05 AM ^
Starts to read article linked happily, exits article shaking head, mumbling *%*# Texas A&M.
December 30th, 2021 at 10:24 AM ^
My thought exactly after reading it. What changed in their recruiting strategy this year to bring in this ridiculous amount of talent?
December 30th, 2021 at 10:24 AM ^
No shit! They’re gonna be ridiculous in the next couple of years. How tf is Jimbo recruiting so well down there?
December 30th, 2021 at 12:41 PM ^
I would speculate they are maximizing usage of NIL.
December 30th, 2021 at 1:24 PM ^
People keep saying they're maximizing NIL, but what does that even mean at a school like TAMU? I understand their school is basically a cult, but wtf NIL money is there in College Station and how is that NIL money that much better than other schools?
December 30th, 2021 at 10:45 AM ^
Look at the bright side. They might keep a couple good players from going to OSU.
December 30th, 2021 at 11:28 AM ^
Lots of their players out of Texas. They got Nolen because TN sucks and they stole one from Oklahoma which I would presume was after the coaching change. They got one who had balls to TX but they suck also. I think they benefitted from some instability and the normal instate recruiting.
Im trying to figure out how the hell North Carolina recruited so well? 6-6 season! I would’ve said Clemson was falling and that helped but they rebounded over the season. Kentucky is another one that recruited well above their program status. Texas was up there because they signed 27 players.
December 30th, 2021 at 12:18 PM ^
They are still coached by Jimbo Fisher. They will lose 2-3 games a year.
December 30th, 2021 at 10:27 AM ^
Here's On3's take where they also listed Will Johnson as a top performer: https://www.on3.com/news/under-armour-all-american-game-practice-top-peformers-evan-stewart/
Johnson has had several PBUs (including one against Amorion Walker), and his ball skills have stood out.
Keon Sabb, Amorion Walker, and Derrick Moore are also at the Under Armour game. I saw a few takes on them as well.
- Sabb: lost badly to 5* WR Evan Stewart on a rep but came back and had a nice PBU later on 4* Adam Randall in 7 on 7. The 1 on 1s are a poor fit for Sabb's skillset so I'm not reading too much into those.
- Walker has shown off his athleticism and skill so far:
Michigan signee Amorion Walker has been impressive so far. He’s been able to create a lot of separation on cutbacks and out routes. Made one of the best plays of the night, diving catch, displaying great concentration while falling to the ground.
- Walker also was among those that ran in the Fastest Man contest, though he lost his 1on1 race. I didn't see a time for him but the winner of his race had a 4.54. The surface was supposedly wet so I wouldn't take that as truly representative of his speed (which I estimate at around 4.5)
- On Moore:
Derrick Moore has shown explosiveness off the edge. Just won a battle in the 1-on-1s with speed. Love his blend of length and quickness.
December 30th, 2021 at 1:13 PM ^
Thanks for this! Do we know if any other players are there as well?
December 30th, 2021 at 1:27 PM ^
Just those 4 at Under Armour game. At the Army game, Michigan will be represented by Darrius Clemons, Zeke Berry, and Tyler Morris (injured/won't play). Josh Conerly is also at the Army game.
December 30th, 2021 at 4:14 PM ^
This is very encouraging news. There are a bunch of intriguing prospects in this class and the future looks bright.