Wolverine TV: Breaking down new On300 Michigan RB commit Donovan Johnson

Michigan picked up a commitment from On300 Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy running back Donovan Johnson on Sunday afternoon.

The Wolverine’s EJ Holland breaks down Johnson and what his verbal pledge means for the Wolverines. Watch the full video above.

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 last week.

It was there where Michigan really moved the needle and won Johnson over. He eventually committed to the staff on Saturday afternoon before announcing his decision publicly a day later.

“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.”

Johnson missed the majority of his junior season due to injury. However, he has been fully cleared and is expected to be ready for the beginning of his senior year.

Johnson, a native of Savannah, Georgia, committed to Michigan over offers from Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Penn State, Texas A&M, USC and others.

At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, Johnson is ranked as the No. 15 running back and No. 239 overall prospect nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking. Johnson is also ranked as the No. 33 overall recruit in the state of Florida this cycle.

Michigan now has nine commits in its 2025 recruiting class — Johnson, Top 100 Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga defensive back Kainoa Winston, Top 100 Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick defensive lineman Nate Marshall, On300 Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith, four-star Palatine (Ill.) High EDGE Jaylen Williams, four-star Birmingham (Mich.) Groves offensive lineman Avery Gach, four-star Howell (Mich.) High defensive lineman Bobby Kanka, three-star New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw running back Jasper Parker and three-star Alcoa (Tenn.) High tight end Eli Owens.

The class entered the day ranked No. 15 nationally and No. 5 in the Big Ten, per the On3 Industry national team recruiting rankings. The Wolverines currently sit behind Ohio State, Oregon, USC and Penn State.