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Despite having a father who played at Michigan, it’s going to be a tough battle for the Wolverines as they try to land 2022 Grosse Pointe (MI) South five-star cornerback Will Johnson.
Johnson is a national-level recruit, rated No. 8 overall according to the 247Sports Composite, regardless of position. He has 27 reported offers at this juncture, including from the likes of Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, USC, Georgia, Oklahoma, Penn State and — of course — Michigan.
Though it seems like something of a foregone conclusion, upon his Wednesday evening Top 10 announcement, Johnson did include his father’s alma mater, along with OSU, LSU, Penn State, Oklahoma, Georgia, Stanford, Arizona State, Notre Dame, Alabama and USC.
Top 10… pic.twitter.com/FVnPsiG0Dl
— Wílł Jøhnšoñ (@Willj1228) September 16, 2020
We spoke to Johnson mere weeks ago, and he broke down his interest in Michigan:
As far as Michigan is concerned, at the moment, the Wolverines are putting on a full-court press to get Johnson to follow in his father Deon’s footsteps and wear a winged helmet.
As many coaches that can be have been involved in his recruitment, from Jim Harbaugh, defensive coordinator Don Brown, cornerbacks coach Mike Zordich, tight ends coach Sherrone Moore and evening strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert. At the moment, Johnson feels he’s especially wanted in Ann Arbor.
“Definitely right now,” Johnson said. “Every week, it’s something new. They’re trying to get me comfortable. (I talk to) all the coaches. This week, strength coach — last week, with the D-coordinator Don Brown. The week before that, Coach Harbaugh. I talk to coach Zordich every week.”
There’s a colloquialism about there being too many cooks in the kitchen, but Michigan is handling the situation with panache.
Though he’s heard from all of the above and is building a relationship with the coaching staff as a whole, his point man is Zordich, who he speaks to weekly, and about more than just football.
“I’m probably the closest with coach Zordich — I talk to him every week,” Johnson said. “I’m definitely more and more comfortable with everybody and it’s easier to talk to everybody. We’re building a good relationship.
”Every week (coach Zordich and I) talk about what’s going on, Doesn’t have to stress, we just talk to each other.”
Still a long ways to go, but the maize and blue are in good standing at the moment.