Signee Spotlight: Donovan Johnson on journey to Michigan, relationship with Tony Alford, more
The Wolverine’s EJ Holland sat down with three-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy running back Donovan Johnson to talk about signing with Michigan and more.
Watch the full Q&A in the video at the end of this story.
Johnson Recruitment
New Michigan running backs coach Tony Alford offered Johnson shortly after arriving in Ann Arbor. Alford recruited Johnson during his time at Ohio State and built a strong relationship with him throughout the process.
Alford visited Johnson at his high school during the spring evaluation period last month and got him on campus for an unofficial visit in the summer.
It was there where Michigan really moved the needle and won Johnson over. He signed with the Wolverines on Wednesday.
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“It was great,” Johnson said. “I got down there and talked to the whole coaching staff. I got a chance to talk to Coach (Sherrone) Moore. I had a really long conversation with Coach Tony (Alford). Great people. Great school. Great atmosphere. I have no negative words for it. I was there all day. I watched the practices and went to The Big House. It was just great.”
Michigan has 22 commits in its 2025 recruiting class — five-star Belleville (Mich.) High quarterback Bryce Underwood, five-star Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest offensive tackle Andrew Babalola, Top 100 Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick EDGE Nate Marshall, Top 100 Chester (Va.) Thomas Dale cornerback Shamari Earls, Top 100 Monroe (N.C.) High safety Jordan Young, Top 100 Katy (Texas) Jordan wide receiver Andrew Marsh, On300 Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga defensive back Kainoa Winston, On300 Alpharetta (Ga.) High EDGE Julius Holly, On300 Kilgore (Texas) High cornerback Jayden Sanders, On300 New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw wide receiver Jacob Washington, On300 Newburgh (Ind.) Castle defensive lineman Benny Patterson, On300 New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw running back Jasper Parker, four-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, four-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy running back Donovan Johnson, four-star Birmingham (Mich.) Groves offensive lineman Avery Gach, three-star Howell (Mich.) High defensive lineman Bobby Kanka, three-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy offensive lineman Kaden Strayhorn, three-star Stockbridge (Ga.) High linebacker Chase Taylor, three-star Lake Worth (Fla.) Santaluces wide receiver Jamar Browder, three-star Louisville (Ky.) Fern Creek defensive lineman Travis Moten and three-star Alcoa (Tenn.) High tight end Eli Owens.
The class is ranked No. 9 nationally and No. 3 in the Big Ten, per the On3 Industry national team recruiting rankings. The Wolverines currently sit behind Ohio State and Oregon.
