Michigan lands another DB in UNLV transfer Ricky Johnson III
The Michigan Wolverines continued their transfer portal augmentation with a commitment from UNLV cornerback Ricky Johnson III, who flipped his pledge from Washington State to U-M.
He has two years of eligibility remaining and the On3 Industry Ranking lists him as the No. 788 player in the portal this offseason.
Last year, he played in all 12 games with 35 tackles and six passes defended, yielding 25 catches on 39 targets. Pro Football Focus graded him out as a 54.3 in coverage. He played four seasons with the Runnin’ Rebels defense, making four appearances in 2020 and making 11 games in 2021. During the 2022 season, he was limited to three games after suffering an injury that lingered in fall camp.
Johnson is the fourth transfer defensive back added this offseason for the Wolverines, joining Albany cornerback Aamir Hall, Tennessee/Louisville safety Wesley Walker and Michigan State’s Jaden Mangham. All could compete for starting roles or spots in the two deep on a defense that is already loaded with talent.
“I do think we have a lot of talent on defense,” defensive backs coach Lamar Morgan said during spring practices. “I think you have a lot of guys that have roles. You look at the front four in the last championship game, the last four that was on the field at the same time is the same four that’s here. Makari and Will and a lot of guys like that. I do think we have a lot of talent, I do think we need to develop some of the guys that haven’t played and also it’s important for us to do that to make sure this place continues to grow and it’s not a one-hit wonder.”
It is looking more and more like it will not be a one-hit wonder at Michigan as it guns for a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff. Keep it locked here at The Wolverine for more from the transfer portal and offseason in the days and weeks to come.
