Whether or not the team has a stellar season, Michigan almost always produces a great crop of NFL talent. This season, key stars from the 15-0 national championship team are returning.
Here are the top three to watch ahead of next year’s NFL Draft, which begins on April 24, 2025:
Will Johnson | Cornerback
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg on Johnson: “Great length at 6-foot-2 and playmaking skills.”
Prospect ranking: Pro Football Focus (No. 4), Tankathon (No. 3), Pro Football Network (No. 2)
When Michigan needed a big play last year, Johnson usually showed up. In a win over Ohio State, he made an interception in coverage against Heisman Trophy finalist Marvin Harrison Jr. He grabbed another in the national championship game against another Heisman finalist, Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Johnson’s role has been varied in Michigan’s defense, running cover 3, 4, and 6 assignments, and man coverage, so he’ll be ready for whatever is thrown his way in the NFL. He had a lot of experience and polish for a 21-year-old, and at 6-foot-2 with a projected sub-4.5 second 40-yard dash speed, he has the frame and athleticism to be the best cornerback prospect in this year’s draft class.
Expect him to go within the top five in the NFL Draft on April 24.