Oct 19, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Will Johnson (2) tries to bring down Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Pat Bryant (13) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
“Falling” is a relative term here. Johnson remains almost a surefire top-15 overall pick, but the Wolverines standout has lost a little luster lately. For the second time in 2024, Johnson left a game early with injury in Michigan’s lifeless loss to Illinois and did not return. He left after Michigan’s first defensive series with a toe injury. That also happened against USC, when Johnson got truck-sticked to the training room with a shoulder injury for the following week too when trying to make a tackle.
His man coverage also hasn’t been quite as lockdown as often advertised. Johnson compensates with his spectacular playmaking ability–his two pick-sixes are no accident. But opposing teams haven’t shied away from throwing comeback routes and quick hitters despite Michigan having unremarkable coverage around the rest of the secondary. Johnson’s head-down tackling is becoming more of an issue by the week; PFF charts his missed tackle rate at over 20% and that jumps to 50% over the last three games. Johnson is still a very high-end cornerback, but the top-10 overall talk seems a little fluffy based on how he’s played in 2024.
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