Michigan Wolverines cornerback Will Johnson is the best player in college football heading into the 2024 campaign. A Michigan Man to his core, the Detroit native took a sizable step forward last season, one that culminated with an interception and Defensive MVP honors in the National Championship victory. Johnson now enters the new campaign as the program's unquestioned leader.
Johnson recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network while preparing for Michigan's title-defending season. Johnson discussed growing up in Detroit, representing his hometown program, playing man and zone coverage, marrying technique with athleticism, and more.
JM: I thought you took an outstanding step forward last season. You totaled career highs in interceptions (4) and pass breakups (8). What led to your improvement?
Will Johnson: First and foremost, I’d say my game is a perfect fit for our defensive system. The coaching staff put me in terrific positions to make plays all season long. I had a bunch of great teammates around me as well that allowed me to excel.
We put a lot of hard work and preparation into the season. All of that helped me string together a good season.
JM: It sure did. You were even named Defensive MVP of the National Championship Game after recording an awesome interception in the second half. What was it like being in the zone for that game?
Will Johnson: That’s the game you dream about playing in, right? You have to leave it all out there on the field. You don’t know if you’ll ever get another opportunity to play in that game. It’s what we worked for.
When we finally made it to the National Championship, I wanted to make sure I capitalized on the opportunity. I didn’t want to look back with any regrets. I went into the game with that mindset. Let’s do everything we can to win the game.
I laid it all on the line for my team. Thankfully I was able to make some plays. It definitely worked out for me. I felt very blessed at the conclusion of that one.
JM: What will forever be your biggest takeaway from winning the National Championship?
Will Johnson: I’ll never forget how hard it was to get there. We spent years trying to play in a National Championship Game, so it felt extra special to finally achieve that goal. Being a part of something like that, it takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice.
We know how much work we put into it. We know what kind of brotherhood and togetherness we had within our locker room. It took a lot. That’s what I’ll always remember the most.
JM: We love that. As you aim to repeat as champions in 2024, you may be taking on a bigger, more vocal role in the DB room. Guys like Mike Sainristil and Josh Wallace are no longer present. How are you preparing to do that?
Will Johnson: I’m going to keep being myself at the end of the day. I’m somebody that prefers to lead by example, but I’ll speak up when I need to speak. I want to bring along the young guys that need help.
Whenever a teammate of mine is seeking information, I’m going to be there for them. I want to be that teammate that is always supportive. I want to help keep that same sense of togetherness that we had last season.
I’ve been focusing on being the true leader of this team.
JM: Your father Deon Johnson was a DB at Michigan and won three Big Ten championships in the early 1990s. Has it always been a goal of yours to follow in his footsteps, and what's the best piece of advice he's given you?
Will Johnson: I’ve always wanted to follow in his footsteps. That’s definitely been a goal of mine. He led me to where I am today. The best piece of advice he’s ever given me is to just be myself. “Be you, Will.” That’s what he says.
He knows how much work I’ve put in throughout my life to get here. He’s seen me go up against the best of the best since I was a little kid. He says these are the same caliber of players you’ve been going up against your whole life.
I just have to go out there and stay consistent on Saturdays. Don’t make the moment bigger than it is. I can always hear him saying that in my head. It helps settle me down before I go out there and play.
JM: You were born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. You're a Michigan Man through and through. What does it mean to represent this great program?
Will Johnson: It means everything to me. It’s my hometown team. My childhood dream was to come play football at The University of Michigan, to follow in my family’s footsteps. To be doing this for my hometown, seeing all the little kids that love to support me in the community, it’s so special. It means a lot to me.
Detroit and The University of Michigan are very special places. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
JM: That’s incredible. You’ve had so many amazing teammates. If you were going to war tomorrow and could only bring one with you, who would you bring and why?
Will Johnson: That’s a tough question. I have a great relationship with all of my teammates. I would go with Mike Sainristil. I’ve seen him ride for me and I do the same for him.
I remember the Ohio State game. I went down with an injury and I was down on myself. He told me, “Don’t worry, I got you. I’m going to hold it down for our defense.”
That told me everything I needed to know right there. He knew how bad I wanted to be out there with my brothers, but he also knew I was hurt. He had my back by going out there and doing what I couldn’t do for us at that moment.
I would definitely choose Mike Sainristil.
JM: Mike Sainristil is a natural-born leader. We got to spend some time around him throughout his pre-draft process and he’s an awesome person and player. Does Will Johnson prefer to play man or zone coverage?
Will Johnson: I like to do it all. We mix and match our coverages at Michigan. We play both man and zone coverage. Whatever the play calls for, I know I’m going to execute our concept at a high level.
JM: I'll put you in a scenario then. Say it's 3rd-and-long. Would you rather be manned up on the best receiver, or playing zone with a chance to make a play on the ball near the sticks?
Will Johnson: Whatever situation the coaching staff puts me in, I’m going to make a play on third down (laughs). That’s what I’m going to do. We can make a good play on third down in man or zone coverage. We’re going to execute because we have the best defense in college football.
JM: Do you approach bigger receivers in coverage differently than you do smaller, shiftier ones?
Will Johnson: I try to approach them both the same. I’m going to focus on what they do best. I need to figure out what type of routes they like to run and how they want to approach cornerbacks.
I also pay attention to how the quarterback wants to target my assignment in the passing game. Once I figure out how they want to execute, that’s when I start to approach them in slightly different ways. It’s all about evaluating my assignment.
JM: When I turn the tape on, I see an explosive cornerback who pairs athleticism with instincts and outstanding ball skills. Talk to me about marrying the two and making sure you stay consistent with your technique, as opposed to relying on just athleticism.
Will Johnson: That’s exactly what I’ve been focused on this entire offseason. I’m putting in the work to get my footwork right, get my technique right. When I go out there and get a little tired as the game wears on, that’s when you start to fall back on your preparation and your technique.
When your athleticism starts to wane a little in the fourth quarter, it’s your mental preparation, your technique that carry you through. It’s the mental aspect of my game that’s going to take me a long way. Having that technique and fundamentals in your back pocket is critical to playing defensive back at a high level.
JM: That’s an incredible answer. We've appreciated your time today. This conversation has highlighted why Will Johnson is the best player in college football. In closing, what are your goals for the 2024 season?
Will Johnson: The goal is to always beat Michigan State and Ohio State (laughs). We want to win another Big Ten Championship and another National Championship. Those are our goals every single year. We have high expectations at Michigan.
