Perhaps a bit underrated, Cornelius Johnson has been a solid player for Michigan football. When Ronnie Bell went down with injury in 2021, Johnson stepped up to the plate, leading the team in receiving.
Though he didn’t get a ton of accolades in 2022, Johnson showed up when he was needed most. With running back Blake Corum sidelined with injury, Johnson had two long touchdown catches against rival Ohio State, helping the Wolverines topple the Buckeyes in Columbus, 45-23.
Now Bell is off to the NFL and Johnson will be needed more than ever. So, where does he rank among the best wideouts in the Big Ten?
College Sports Wire put out the conference wide receiver rankings entering 2023, and Johnson came in sixth, behind the Ohio State duo, Illinois WR Isaiah Williams, Wisconsin’s Chimere Dike, and Maryland wideout Tyrese Chambers.
Johnson is a consistent pass catcher in the Michigan offense. This past season was his most productive from a touchdown standpoint after only scoring 7 touchdowns in the past three seasons combined. Heading into 2023, the Wolverines will need him to be a major factor in the passing game when they aren’t handing it off to Blake Corum or Donovan Edwards.
Opposite Johnson, Roman Wilson — who was injured in Week 5 each of the last two years — is poised for a breakout season. The Wolverines will also be counting on Tyler Morris, Darrius Clemons, Peyton O’Leary, Karmello English, Semaj Morgan, and Fredrick Moore as pass catchers.
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