Will Johnson- Best UM CB since Woodson?
Woodson was obviously beyond generational, only defensive player to win a Heisman. But we've had some talented corners and secondary playesr come through UM since all with the weight of being compared to the GOAT. Lewis, Peppers (converted to safety), Marlin Jackson, D. Warren come to mind - but we obviously haven't been d-back U like LSU. Lewis and Jackson were probably the closest to "lockdown" imo, but not quite really LOCKDOWN.
Watching Johnson during his freshman year, it's hard not to see the progress made during the year and feel that as a freshman, he is trending to be the best, most impactful cover corner we've had since Chuck. He has all the physical tools and seems to enjoy the bright lights. Watching him go up against Marvin Harrison Jr. (a future top 3 NFL WR imo) was great stuff and showed how much faith the staff has in the young man.
Thoughts?
December 4th, 2022 at 5:29 PM ^
This seems premature, but I wouldn't be surprised if that's how it ends up
December 4th, 2022 at 6:44 PM ^
Agreed. Think about how good Jordan Lewis and David Long were. Those are the two more recent great corners that I can remember. I hope he ends up as good as those two, or even better.
December 4th, 2022 at 7:10 PM ^
No one could throw on Jourdan Lewis
December 4th, 2022 at 7:23 PM ^
Except Fl. state
December 4th, 2022 at 7:46 PM ^
I'm sure this guy would like a word....
December 5th, 2022 at 11:55 AM ^
That INT and Woodson’s against MSU in 97 are my 2 favorites
December 4th, 2022 at 7:02 PM ^
That's what op's wife said
December 4th, 2022 at 9:22 PM ^
Ask her many times it takes for "premature" to become expected and turn into "right on time"?
Asking for a friend.
December 4th, 2022 at 7:19 PM ^
Yes, definitely premature. I hear a Dr might be able to help the OP with that.
December 4th, 2022 at 5:30 PM ^
Perhaps. I'll let you know in 2 years.
December 4th, 2022 at 5:30 PM ^
I think everything you said was pretty accurate. But can we just let kid mature as a player for a minute before weighing him down with such expectations?
December 4th, 2022 at 5:33 PM ^
Yeah, of course. Fair point. He's just the best I've seen as a freshman since Woodson. Hoping the trajectory continues.
December 4th, 2022 at 5:33 PM ^
He has played great. But he is going to cost us at some point with his cockiness. Saw it earlier in the year when a teammate pulled him aside when he started taunting Thorne(?) after a hit at the sideline. And last night he shoved two fingers in Purdue receivers face after his 2nd int. Hopefully he’ll mature because a 15 yard penalty at the wrong time can cost you a game.
Again, he has played great and that int where he jumped the route was something I have been waiting for from a M DB for a while.
December 4th, 2022 at 5:40 PM ^
This is a weird take.
December 4th, 2022 at 6:28 PM ^
"weird" "economic anxiety weird"
December 5th, 2022 at 3:37 AM ^
It’s also just a factually wrong take.
December 4th, 2022 at 5:56 PM ^
That was Clifford, not Thorne, and basically every DB including NFL players do exactly this kind of thing. Most of them learn how to walk the line, but most successful DBs employ some sort of psychological warfare.
December 4th, 2022 at 6:12 PM ^
Most of them learn how to walk the line, but most successful DBs employ some sort of psychological warfare.
We should have Jalen Rose teach our players the art of shit talking. When done correctly, it ruins opponents.
December 4th, 2022 at 8:12 PM ^
My brother threw this line out during the OSU game and I need it to be a thing-
"Talking shit to take the hit."
It was in reference to our guys getting so in the heads of the opposing players so as to elicit a physical response and draw the penalty. I loved it immediately.
December 4th, 2022 at 10:02 PM ^
Worked nicely in Columbus to get a head-butt penalty.
I like the swagger. This isn't croquet.
December 4th, 2022 at 6:07 PM ^
I’m guessing you are not a buffs fan either.
December 4th, 2022 at 6:12 PM ^
Taunting is childish. Coach Harbaugh talks about transforming "boys into [good] men and [good] men into [great] competitors." We'll see.
December 4th, 2022 at 11:13 PM ^
A good bit of football is mental and certain amounts of taunting are absolutely within the rules of the game.
December 4th, 2022 at 6:17 PM ^
Yeah, no. Will didn't even look at the receiver after his second interception.
December 4th, 2022 at 6:50 PM ^
Thanks for the video....confirms my original thoughts on the situation
December 4th, 2022 at 7:56 PM ^
Thanks for the link. Not sure WHAT I saw that looked like it was in a Purdue players face! Someone mentioned further down the camera angle made it look that way. But I can't imagine - even at a different angle - looking like it was taunting. <shoulder shrug>
Did I mention I used to referee Big Ten football games?!?
December 4th, 2022 at 8:13 PM ^
That would explain a lot.
December 4th, 2022 at 8:14 PM ^
Great recovery, well played. +1
December 4th, 2022 at 8:43 PM ^
Did you ever call holding?
December 4th, 2022 at 10:04 PM ^
Not in Columbus.
December 4th, 2022 at 6:19 PM ^
I didn't think the two fingers thing was directed at the Purdue receiver. Just seemed like a general celebration to me.
I've watched the game three times now (live + Football In 60 + FS2 re-broadcast) and I don't recall him ever engaging the WR.
But you do you trashing him.
December 4th, 2022 at 6:37 PM ^
On one camera angle it made it look like he was taunting, but if you watched the replay from the other angle they showed you’d realize he wasn’t even facing the receiver when he did that.
December 4th, 2022 at 8:39 PM ^
The two fingers was thrown out there to denote his second interception of the game.
And if anyone rewatched the game, you would have seen Will jumping those routes several other times and just missing the interception. He was darn close to at least 2 additional INTs.
December 4th, 2022 at 6:26 PM ^
You are looking for something that isn’t there
December 4th, 2022 at 6:48 PM ^
Perhaps I remember it incorrectly....he held up two finger, but I don't think it was in the face of the Purdue player.
December 4th, 2022 at 7:14 PM ^
He didn’t shove 2 fingers in that dude’s face, it was the camera angle that made it look that way.
December 4th, 2022 at 7:50 PM ^
Well excuuuuuse me! That's all I had to go on was the camera angle. So if it wasn't in the guys face I (happily) stand corrected!
As for it being Clifford, yeah that's why I put a ? after Thorne. Knew if was one of those a-hole QBs.
And no, I don't hate the Buffs.
December 4th, 2022 at 7:32 PM ^
10 yards from the nearest receiver and running away from him when he puts up the deuce. Nice try though.
December 4th, 2022 at 8:12 PM ^
I mean, JJ standing directly over and staring at the OSU DB he had just trucked was more of a danger for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty than WJ’s deuces (10 yards away, as aptly noted above).
December 4th, 2022 at 5:34 PM ^
I would like to put Leon Hall into the conversation with Marlin Jackson and Jourdan Lewis.
December 4th, 2022 at 5:35 PM ^
And David Long.
December 4th, 2022 at 6:09 PM ^
And Jeremy Lesueur
December 4th, 2022 at 6:12 PM ^
And boubacar cissoko
/s just in case
December 4th, 2022 at 6:51 PM ^
LOL BC
December 4th, 2022 at 7:00 PM ^
Dude was sketchy as fuck.
December 4th, 2022 at 6:39 PM ^
How is it that Long is a great player in the NFL but got torched in that OSU game? We definitely underachieved those years. Loads of talent.
December 4th, 2022 at 7:31 PM ^
David long is barely getting snaps for the Rams right now, so I'd question "great"
December 5th, 2022 at 11:38 AM ^
I dont remember Long getting torched in OSU game. Maybe once? I repeatedly remember the Buckeyes throwing wherever Brandon Watson lined up.