Will Johnson- Best UM CB since Woodson?

Submitted by Bo Harbaugh on December 4th, 2022 at 5:28 PM

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?

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brad

December 4th, 2022 at 8:25 PM ^

Who could say at this point, but I will say if M's corners can man up on Georgia's wideouts leaving both safeties to double the tight ends in the throw game, that would go a long way toward containing Georgia's offense and opening a door to the national championship.

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The Mayor

December 4th, 2022 at 8:35 PM ^

I thought it was a fair question op… Might seem like a hot take but as a 51 year old man that watched Woodson and the others mentioned here, I found myself having the conversation with my 27 year old son who didn’t get to Watch Chuck play at UM cuz he was a toddler. I was trying  to compare the 2 freshman years. I was screaming throughput the game last night that they didn’t keep him on CJ. When he was not on him or they were in zone we got torched. I feel like he has as caught up to near elite status quickly. Id say if he stays healthy he will be “one” of the greats. 

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cobra14

December 5th, 2022 at 6:07 AM ^

I didn’t go throw the whole thread but saw a lot of Jordan Lewis talk. Once again everyone skips over how good Leon Hall was 

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MaizeBlueA2

December 5th, 2022 at 7:45 AM ^

Since*

Keyword, Smartass. "Everyone" must've understood the assignment.

Lewis played after Hall.

Johnson would be the best CB since Lewis. If he was the best CB since Hall, you'd be saying he is already better than Lewis, which he isn't.

And he's not the best CB since Lewis either. He's the best since DJ Turner.

Who was the best since Lavert Hill and David Long.

Who were the best since Lewis.

Who was the best since Leon Hall.

Who was the best since Marlin Jackson.

Who was the best since Charles Woodson.

 

Now I'd argue Hall was the best since Woodson, since I think Hall was better than Jackson, but that's a different discussion.

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outsidethebox

December 5th, 2022 at 8:44 AM ^

The responses to this OP take are much worse than what they are being critical of. Sure, it's too early to pass judgement on Will-one way or the other regarding the posed question. However, one would be a fool to declare that Will has no chance of being a first rounder-even a very high one. Will is an exceptionally gifted player-we will see how this plays out.

Otherwise, the propensity of Michigan fans to seize the slightest opportunity to turn a positive into a negative remains exasperating and stunning to me. 

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KeyserSöze

December 5th, 2022 at 3:01 PM ^

Woodson is in a class all his own.  Will Johnson has the tools to be REALLY good and he appears to be rapidly ascending.  He is still young and guesses at times which gets him beat on occasion. Very similar to Diggs with the Cowboys.  If the 2025 draft were tomorrow, he and Malachi Starks at Georgia would likely be the first two DB’s off the board 

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