Michigan star cornerback and top 2025 NFL Draft prospect Will Johnson suffered an apparent injury in the Wolverines’ Week 4 contest against the USC Trojans.
What caused Johnson to be pulled from the game, and what is his current status and outlook? Here’s what we know about Johnson’s situation.
What Happened to Will Johnson?
Early in the fourth quarter of Michigan’s Week 4 clash against USC, Johnson left the game and jogged to the locker room to be evaluated for an unspecified injury.
It was also reported on the broadcast that his family traveled with the Michigan cornerback to the locker room to join Johnson as he received X-Rays.
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The injury to Johnson came not long after the highly-ranked corner nabbed a pick-six on USC quarterback Miller Moss, to put the Wolverines up 20-10 late in the third quarter.
Michigan’s defense gave the Trojans a difficult time from the very first whistle, and Johnson was a big part of that. His loss would be a massive blow, particularly on the long-term timeline — but also in a tight battle against a USC team looking to score a Big Ten victory.
The need for X-Ray evaluation is concerning for Johnson’s injury, but as of now, no confirmation has been shared on his status. When that information is made available, this article will be updated accordingly.
In the meantime, the Wolverines will be forced to rely on other cornerbacks like Jyaire Hill and Aamir Hall to fill the void left by Johnson’s early departure.
Will Johnson a Top 2025 NFL Draft Prospect
In his first year of eligibility for the NFL Draft, Johnson has already solidified himself as not only a first-round prospect but also a potential early first-round pick.
On Pro Football Network’s 2025 NFL Draft Big Board, Johnson is the No. 3 overall prospect in the class, and the top cornerback in a class that also boasts Benjamin Morrison, Travis Hunter, Shavon Revel, and others.
Johnson is a superlative physical talent at 6’2″, 202 pounds, but his mental acuity shined against USC in Week 4. His scouting report at PFN makes note of that:
“Johnson shows off uncommon vision, reaction speed, and processing ability for his experience level. He’s a sharp and patient zone defender with a deep bag of techniques, who has bug-like stimuli and reaction quickness in off-man and working layered routes.”
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