Will Johnson had to wait, but he finally heard his name called on Friday.
The defensive back, who earned All-America honors twice, was chosen by the Arizona Cardinals as the 15th selection of the second round, which is the 47th pick overall, concluding a descent that caused Johnson to slip during the 2025 NFL Draft.
Johnson was at one time considered a top-10 pick, but injury concerns about his knee impacted how NFL teams viewed his longevity, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Johnson was on hand for the draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he joined NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on stage to mark the momentous occasion.
A Detroit native, Johnson played three seasons at Michigan, where he cemented himself as a long, physical cornerback capable of making a big play at any moment.
He started 22 games, played in 32, and was integral part of Michigan’s national championship in 2023. That year, he had four interceptions (including a pick-6), eight pass breakups and was named defensive MVP of the title game. He was also a consensus first-team All-American.
Banking on another big year in 2024, he was unable to duplicate it. Johnson was sidelined during the second half of the season with turf toe, watching as Michigan struggled in Big Ten play. In six games, he made 14 tackles (one for a loss), had five pass breakups and two interceptions, both returned for touchdowns. It was enough to convince NFL teams that he’s a first-round player, though his draft stock fell as the months wore on.
Standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 194 pounds, Johnson excels particularly in zone defenses and benefits from external support. At Michigan, he was recognized for his exceptional football intelligence and thorough preparation. Teammates and coaches often highlighted his commitment to studying opponents’ habits and footage. Before leaving Ann Arbor, Johnson had accumulated nine career interceptions and hadn’t surrendered a single touchdown through coverage.
However, Johnson doesn’t possess the explosiveness that some top cornerbacks exhibit; he chose not to participate in the 40-yard dash leading up to the draft. This lack of speed sometimes allowed him to be beaten in one-on-one coverage, making it difficult for him to recover.
Nevertheless, when properly utilized, Johnson shows potential to be an outstanding cornerback in the NFL. According to ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller, Johnson is “the top player available.”
“I feel as though my résumé practically talks for itself,” Johnson said to MLive/The Ann Arbor News in December.
Johnson, who was a five-star prospect out of high school at Grosse Pointe South, stood out as one of the top talents nationally in 2022. He joined Michigan ahead of schedule and quickly made his impact felt, beginning five games as a first-year player.
Now he will need to demonstrate his capabilities once more, but this time at the NFL level.
©2025Advance Local Media LLC. Check out mlive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
