Analyst on Michigan CB Will Johnson: 'I did not think he played his best ... this will be a big spring for him'

Last April, Michigan Wolverines football defensive back Will Johnson was named by PFF as the best cornerback prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft “if everyone in college football was eligible.” He was not eligible, though, and didn’t quite have the season he was hoping for in 2024, mostly due to injuries.

Not only did Johnson play through an upper-body injury suffered against USC, he went down with a toe ailment the following month at Illinois. He missed Michigan’s final six games but appears to be healthy for the NFL Draft process. He’s a projected first-round pick, with most analysts predicting he will wind up in the top 10.

On a recent conference call with fellow media members, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah gave his thoughts on Johnson ahead of the combine.

“Will Johnson is an interesting one, because there was so much hype on him coming into the season, and he was this big, athletic, rangy corner,” the analyst said of Michigan’s 6-foot-2, 202-pounder. “He’s got ball production, but I did not think he played his best this year.”

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Johnson finished with 14 tackles in six contests, and added 2 interceptions that were returned for touchdowns. Both were game-changing, one against Fresno State and the other versus USC.

The run game is where Jeremiah was less than impressed, but some struggles could have been due to playing through injuries.

“I thought there were times where he wasn’t super interested against the run, and he got trucked a couple times against the run,” Jeremiah continued. “I just wanted to see a little more physicality there. And then some guys got on top of him.”

Johnson is set to compete at the NFL Combine, though it’s unclear if he will go through drills or testing (it’s hit or miss with top prospects). Jeremiah seems to believe doing so would help give teams a better grasp on his skill set, though.

“Didn’t get the chance to finish out the year healthy, so I think this will be a big spring for him, to kinda recapture some of that momentum he had off of a much better season in ‘23,” the analyst said.

Johnson stands No. 11 overall on Jeremiah’s big board, the third cornerback listed behind Colorado’s Travis Hunter (No. 2) and Texas’ Jahdae Barron (No. 9).

‘Some teams are gonna have’ Michigan’s Colston Loveland ‘as the top tight end’

Michigan tight end Colston Loveland is a projected first-round selection, as well, and may be the top player at his position to come off the board. He and Penn State’s Tyler Warren are in contention for that spot.

“Loveland, I think some teams are gonna have him as the top tight end,” Jeremiah explained. “It’s two different styles there with him and Tyler Warren, but he’s someone who can really, really run, can get in and out of breaks, is fluid for a bigger guy. He can go get it with a huge catch radius. He’s tough and physical after the catch.

“And then the run game, he does enough; he stays connected and shows want-to. He’s one of the top 10 players in the draft for me.”

Loveland hauled in 56 catches for 582 yards and 5 touchdowns in 10 games in 2024, and he too played through injuries before missing the final two contests (Ohio State, Alabama).

Jeremiah lists Loveland behind Warren, but barely. Warren is his No. 5 overall prospect and Loveland is No. 7.

Loveland will not go through pre-draft workouts at the combine or pro day, after undergoing shoulder surgery this offseason.

In a letter sent today to all 32 teams, Dr. Neal Elattrache wrote that he expects Michigan TE and projected first-round pick Colston Loveland to be ready to participate in minicamp and fully cleared for training camp despite undergoing surgery on his right shoulder last month. pic.twitter.com/8DN8Cz9e37

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 25, 2025

Josaiah Stewart is a ‘bolt of lightning off the edge’

Michigan EDGE Josaiah Stewart had an impressive week at Senior Bowl practices and is one of the top prospects at his position in the draft class, after generating 8.5 sacks to lead the Wolverines last season. The 6-foot-1, 245-pounder doesn’t have the typical height of an edge rusher, but his production speaks for itself.

“Josaiah Stewart is a bolt of lightning off the edge,” Jeremiah said. “He’s undersized, but if you don’t look at the size on your paper and just watch the tape, he doesn’t play small at all. He can really generate power as a rusher, and he’s someone who plays with just a maniacal effort and energy. One of my favorite players to study.”