The Will Johnson Mystery
March 20th, 2025
Joe believes Todd Bowles drools a little every time he sees a long lean cornerback with big-time ball skills.
Bowles loves long corners.
Legendary NBA coach Hubie Brown used to say, ‘You can’t teach height.’ Bowles has that mindset and isn’t shy about it.
Long corner? That describes University of Michigan prospect Will Johnson. He’s a consensus first-round pick but he’s shrouded in a bit of mystery because he didn’t run at the NFL Scouting Combine and he won’t participate in Michigan’s Pro Day, citing a hamstring issue.
Many say Johnson’s speed is a question mark based on his film, so his eventual sprinting numbers may define his draft stock more than most. Allegedly, he will hold his own workout session for teams prior to the draft.
Johnson is 6-2, 194 pounds. He had nine career interceptions at Michigan in 32 games played, including two pick-sixes last year. The 2023 All-American is a ballhawk — what Bowles says is his offseason focus.
Johnson has thrived in big games (national championship defensive MVP) and he was schooled by his father, a former Michigan defensive back, from a very young age. He had the pressure of being a top college recruit in middle school and handled the pressure smoothly, starting as a true freshman for an elite Michigan team. That all sounds like a Jason Licht guy to Joe.
Yes, Johnson has had injuries but nothing major. Still, guys with college injury histories often have them in the pros.
Might Johnson fall to the Bucs at No. 19?
It’s possible. The first cornerback off the board in last year’s draft was Quinyon Mitchell at No. 22 overall. He’s now got 20 starts under his belt and a Super Bowl ring. The second corner taken last year, Terrion Arnold at No. 24 overall, had an up and down season but the Lions are glad to have him.
Joe can’t say the Bucs would go cornerback in Round 1, but Bowles might need a sedative if Johnson is there and the Bucs pass.
March 20th, 2025 at 5:30 pm
His tape looks good, but the fact that he won’t test says he’s slow. 4.5 would be fine at 6’2″. If his agent thought he could hit 4.5, Johnson would be running. I’m going to assume he’s slow unless he has a private work out to run for teams
March 20th, 2025 at 5:35 pm
Joe … ‘Yes, Johnson has had injuries but nothing major. Still, guys with college injury histories often have them in the pros.’
So the guy didn’t run at the Combine because of hamstring issues. Same with no Pro Day. He’s had injuries but not bad ones. But to his credit, he’s all (6’2″).
Oh wow Joe, your negotiation skills in trying to sell us guys like this really need work. Umm, Joe’s not selling the guy. –Joe It seems like the Bucs always have too many injuries. How about we stop drafting guys with injury backgrounds in college for starters.
March 20th, 2025 at 5:39 pm
There are taller and much faster corners to be had in 2nd round.
March 20th, 2025 at 5:39 pm
Soft tissue injuries like hamstrings have a habit of recurring and becoming a chronic issue, I’d steer clear of someone who already started getting them in college.
March 20th, 2025 at 5:40 pm
Hamstring issues?! Sig him, he will fit right in!
March 20th, 2025 at 5:43 pm
Barron is way better in my opinion. He should still be around if we get lucky.
He’s healthy and always shows up in big games.
Better check yo sheet!
March 20th, 2025 at 5:47 pm
We could always bring Mylou out of retirement!!!
March 20th, 2025 at 6:05 pm
Pass in the 1st round, need another rusher or MLB for the first round pick.
March 20th, 2025 at 6:27 pm
Joe was thinking Dean’s replacement. Seriously?!?! Smh
March 20th, 2025 at 6:28 pm
No combine No pro day buyer beware
March 20th, 2025 at 6:40 pm
After Emman, trade up to high 2nd maybe?
March 20th, 2025 at 7:29 pm
Hairston or Barron. This dudes a Dean clone, buyer beware
March 20th, 2025 at 7:53 pm
People are high on emmanwori but that’s too high for a safety and also they hybrid big safety’s hardly pan out
March 20th, 2025 at 8:26 pm
Probably wouldn’t be too hard to find out how fast he is by studying his film from last year.
Speed on the field is a little more important than speed on a track IMO.
March 20th, 2025 at 8:27 pm
The guy spooks me.
March 20th, 2025 at 8:28 pm
How many recievers have the Bucs had with these hamstring issues ?? And thinking about it last season quite a few players had these issues right?? It’s an anytime thing to man and it sucks for them. It’s Time right now and we need those bug exercised out of this neck of the woods, so to say Joe ? Haha hahaha.
March 20th, 2025 at 8:55 pm
If we are going to take a college football player with a little injury history – it would be Will Johnson Jr way over Jihaad Campbell.
The talent is just way superior.
March 20th, 2025 at 9:18 pm
@DS, yup, we’re not drafting him….youre right shhhhhhhhhhh
March 20th, 2025 at 9:35 pm
Emman
DT Grant (if Schwesinger is gone)
LB Barret Carter
WR Savion Williams
!! many options after that
March 20th, 2025 at 9:53 pm
So now we have Jihaad Campbell with surgery and Will Johnson won’t run. Looking like Emmanwori or maybe even Revel.
Jahdae Barron will be a nickel and that’s too high for a part time player.
Emmanwori killed the combine and runs a 4.3. He isn’t a hybrid. Just because he COULD play LB doesn’t mean he will. Although I bet he would be a good one.
Jalen Walker will be long gone.
March 20th, 2025 at 9:55 pm
Most of the top CBs seem to have an issue…
This kid being healthy/possibly not that fast
Ben Morrison – Hip
Shavon Revel – ACL
Porter – closing in on 25 years old.
I think I’m forgetting someone … anyway, with my limited knowledge and lack of film watching, seems like could be a great crop of CBs if these flags end up being of no concern.
March 20th, 2025 at 10:28 pm
Hey if he can play nose tackle while Vita drops into deep zone coverage ineffectively, he’s a lock.
March 20th, 2025 at 11:28 pm
Joe I’ve seen a lot abuse of deceptive language to get clicks in sport article lead ins but “Bowels drools over long lean Johnson” is beyond the limits of good taste. SMH
March 21st, 2025 at 1:01 am
Some players don’t have ‘combine speed’, but they display tremendous game day speed. It sounds to me this may be the case with the above mentioned. Jerry rice comes to mind with game speed but no combine speed. It’s like some just have a game day fifth gear. All those interceptions he has may be a game speed tell. Or an innate ability to be in the right place at the right time. Or both. Idk. Color me Intrigued. Will Johnson.
March 21st, 2025 at 3:39 am
After recent developments I’m leaning towards drafting the E-Man if he is available at our time of pick. Sounds like he is a gifted athlete. Who says he HAS to play safety? Perhaps we can convert him to another position and coach him up? For example Urlacher played mostly safety and played linebacker in the NFL. look how that turned out right? 🙂
March 21st, 2025 at 4:08 am
Guys who do not do specific things at the combine and do nothing or very little at pro days make me nervous. Likely an agent has been in their head. That also makes me nervous. I Like guys from Michigan and long ballhawk corners too Joe but not at our spot in the first round.
Revel in the second?
Go Bucs!
March 21st, 2025 at 9:06 am
Pass on this dude, man. Bucs already lead the league in hamstring issues. Put him on the dirty dozen list, Licht.
March 21st, 2025 at 9:30 am
I think because of there being lack of high numbers of first round worthy QBs, high end defensive ends and OTs, this may be a year where we could see multiple CBs go in top 15. That being said there are still some good CBs that will fall to the Bucs that have the body type and athleticism that Bowles likes. Trey Amos, Azareyeh Thomas, Shavon Revel are all ballers and they could be had even with a trade down.
March 21st, 2025 at 6:41 pm
Interesting prospect but… An oft injured, son of a coach, CB with first round hype and unresolved question marks based on tape. Doesn’t remind me of Vernon Hargreaves at all….
March 22nd, 2025 at 3:21 am
Wouldn’t he have been timed sometime during his career in college? I’m sure that number is available to give you an idea of how he can move without injury.
Not to say that he couldn’t have slowed down since then.
BTW Joe, look for it – interesting question for Hainsey about best o linemen to play at Notre Dame.