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Michigan CB Will Johnson discusses offseason surgery, recovery timeline

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•06/01/23•

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Will Johnson
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Michigan Wolverines football sophomore cornerback Will Johnson underwent a scope on his right knee this offseason. The 2022 On3 freshman All-American sat out of the Wolverines’ spring practices as he recovered. Heading into the summer, he’s feeling better and better.

“I’m on track. I start running pretty much tomorrow,” Johnson said. “I’m getting better every day, progressing every day. Just taking it one day at a time, no rush right now.

“I had a foot injury, too, but it was my right knee.”

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Johnson has actually been dealing with the ailment for years now, but it worsened this offseason.

“It’s something that’s been bothering me since high school, and it got to the point where I had to get surgery,” the Michigan sophomore said.

Johnson has bulked up in the upper body this offseason. While his teammates were practicing on the field this spring, he and others who were held out lifted in the weight room that overlooks the team’s outdoor practice fields.

“I’ve definitely gotten a lot stronger, put a little bit of weight on,” Johnson said. “When they were practicing all spring, I was working out. I’m getting my legs back right now.

“I’ll be ready for the season, for sure.”

Johnson, who posted 27 tackles, including 2 for loss, 3 interceptions and 6 pass breakups while opening five games for Michigan last season, wishes he could’ve been out there with his teammates in spring ball.

“It was tough,” he said. “I really didn’t even get to watch that much of it because I was in the weight room, but when I was out there, I was just trying to be a leader, trying to do what I can to help the guys get better.”

Will Johnson hosts first youth camp

Johnson held a youth camp Thursday night at Wayne State University in Detroit, following the Sound Mind Sound Body National College Showcase.

“It’s crazy,” Johnson said, while wearing a t-shirt representing the camp with his name on it. “It means a lot, because I grew up around here, I want to the same camp growing up. Being able to have my own means a lot.”

His father, former Michigan defensive back Deon Johnson, co-founded Sound Mind Sound Body, and that played a factor in his desire to give back to the next generation.

“Definitely,” Johnson said of if his dad was an influence. “He and Curt [Blackwell] have shown me what it’s like to have these camps and put them on for kids. Now that I’m having one myself, they’re guiding me through.”

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