Michigan football WR Cornelius Johnson to return for 2023 season with Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines football is set to lose graduate Ronnie Bell to the 2023 NFL Draft, but senior Cornelius Johnson announced he will return for the 2023 campaign, which will be his fifth in a winged helmet. Johnson has one year of eligibility remaining due to 2020 being a free season, and he’ll use it.
Johnson made his announcement on Instagram.
“After considering great opportunities, I have decided to stay with the University of Michigan football team for the 2023 season,” Johnson wrote. “I am excited to get back on Main Street with the crew. Thank you!”
Johnson is one of several key Wolverines set to forgo the NFL and return for another season. He joins senior running back Blake Corum, graduate left guard Trevor Keegan, senior right guard Zak Zinter, graduate nickel back Mike Sainristil, graduate linebacker Michael Barrett and others.
The 6-3, 208-pounder led Michigan with 6 touchdown catches, and ranked second on the team with 499 receiving yards on 32 grabs. His season was highlighted by coming up with 2 huge touchdowns against arch rival Ohio State, one from 69 yards and another from 75 yards in the first half of the 45-23 blowout win in Columbus.
Johnson started all 28 games the last two seasons and has made 31 career starts in 46 appearances. With Bell out for all but one game in 2021, Johnson led Michigan with 40 catches, 627 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. He was a key contributor in 2020, too, notching 16 grabs for 254 yards and a team-high 3 touchdown catches.
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All told for his career to this point, Johnson has 92 receptions for 1,441 yards and 13 touchdowns.
“When his name is called, the 6’3″, 208-pound WR answers the bell,” Pro Football Network’s Oliver Hodgkinson wrote in December.
“Naturally, his size causes issues for opposing coverages. Yet, he’s an explosive athlete with excellent acceleration and straight line speed who is also a savvy route-runner.”
A four-star recruit in the 2019 class out of Greenwich (Conn.) Brunswick, Johnson was rated the No. 181 overall player in the nation, 30th-best wide receiver and top prospect in Connecticut.
Johnson said in December that he and his teammates were extra motivated heading into the 2022 season due to a blowout loss to Georgia in the CFP. With the Wolverines falling to TCU in heartbreaking fashion in the semifinal this season, Johnson will likely add even more fuel to the fire ahead of his final season with Michigan.
