Michigan prevailed in its most important recruiting battle of the 2022 cycle, when Grosse Pointe (Mich.) South cornerback Will Johnson announced his engagement moments ago. Some may think the proclamation is premature, with almost a year to go before class ends, but in Johnson’s case the call comes at the right time. He addresses the Wolverines’ most needy position, he is the son of two Michigan graduates and is the best player in the state. When it comes to the criteria for determining a priority target, Johnson literally checks every box. The question was did Michigan check all the boxes for him?
Many observers doubted Michigan’s ability to get Johnson after his fights on the pitch last season and the uncertainty of the coach who followed. In the end, the chance to be part of Michigan’s restoration to past glory was among the most attractive factors.
“Michigan has a lot of good parts,” Johnson told The Michigan Insider earlier. “I know that in the corner they are having some fights. You can take it in (two) ways … (take it) because they are not developed or you can take it because they need some corners. “
“I would say that I look (because they need some corners). It is an opportunity to get in and play early and get on the field ”.
That feeling was a welcome surprise. Johnson’s father, a former Michigan defender Deon Johnson.
“This was something they invented that weekend (visiting during the November downtime),” Deon told The Michigan Insider. “We hadn’t talked about it. He said, ‘We can be part of the group that changed the narrative.’ I looked over my shoulder like, ‘wow, he just said that.’ “
“From a child’s point of view, you see what’s going on out there. You’re like, ‘If I go to Michigan, I can probably play now. And what do children want to do when they get to college? They want to play. So, it’s a great university, as you and I know. Education, athletics … the brand is everything. And it is a great attraction. It’s Michigan! “
Even so, these attributes alone were not enough to ensure that Will followed in his parents’ footsteps. In fact, when the new year came, he was on the verge of committing himself to the Wolverines’ arch rivals in Columbus. Michigan wouldn’t be celebrating the talented youngster’s commitment today if Jim Harbaugh did not notice the inclinations of the state of Ohio and staged an intervention.
“I talked to (Harbaugh) today,” Will told The Michigan Insider on January 6. “I think they know that I’m coming close to a decision, so they wanted to let me know that I’m their number one priority. I’m sure Harbaugh isn’t going anywhere. “
“He’s not going anywhere,” added Elder Johnson confidently.
Two days later, Harbaugh signed and announced his extension. This caused the Johnson process to pause, but to win a compromise, Harbaugh would need to impress with some significant team changes.
The first step was to retain the recruiter in the state Sherrone Moore, thus maintaining an important and familiar voice and face in the team.
The second stage was the hiring of a defense technician and defense co-coordinator Maurice Linguist. Shortly after joining the team, the linguist made sure that Johnson would be the first potential client he connected with. The quick connection the two formed last month was the catalyst to bring momentum back to Michigan.
“I think the most important thing is the mentality, the coaching, the experience and the knowledge he has,” said Will of the Linguist. “He looks like a very personal guy. He told me that I was the number one priority and that he needs guys like me to help him bring Michigan back to a national powerhouse. “
“I just think he has a passion for what he does,” added Deon later. “You hear it in his voice. He doesn’t call it coaching, he calls it ministry. He said he calls to train his ministry. And I like some of the things he said … how to help these guys become men and how their relationships go beyond college and beyond the field. He was telling me how he had just written a reference letter to one of his former players. He will do anything to help his players reach the next level or whatever they are trying to do. That was great for me. “
The same happened with the endorsement of the ex-Michigan All-American Jourdan Lewis. It appeared on the Sound Mind Sound Body program that Elder Johnson co-founded in 2004. So they have a relationship that dates back to Lewis as a child. Lewis’s testimony to linguists’ ability as a trainer and developer was crucial to reestablishing Michigan’s appeal.
So, if there was a clincher to close Johnson’s promise, it was Harbaugh’s third and final step in appealing to Johnson; hiring Ron Bellamy. It was a move that old Johnson labeled “a game changer”. Later, the meaning will be co-signed.
“I think Coach Bellamy is a great guy,” Will told TMI. “He’s leaving a state championship and I know he’s ready to recruit Michigan hard.”
“Hiring (Bellamy), for me, just builds another relationship,” he added. “Another guy where I am from, and (someone who) knows my situation very well.”
His situation is now the main attraction of the Michigan class and a player the team hopes will help to attract other players. It is a role that Johnson fully embraces, especially now that his recruiting process and the headache he has now become is over.
As for the father, it is a time of abundant pride and enthusiasm. He never put pressure on his son for this result, but he never hid how much he hoped for it.
“I graduated from Michigan. His mother is a Michigan graduate. I played ball there, ”said Deon before the engagement. “I’m definitely going to give my alma mater a little boost every now and then. During our conversations in the car, I can bring something up. Or show me some old photos, and I happen to be looking at some old photos. So, when my friends call me to play, I guarantee that they have the opportunity to say what is happening to him. Sometimes they have some words of encouragement that they want to share about the university as well. He does it from all angles of me. “
“I have friends who are already making plans. They call him ‘Little Bill’. They are talking about, ‘if Little Bill goes there, I will have to go to Ann Arbor more.’ “
Tickets in the Little Bill ticket section will officially go on sale in the fall of 2022.
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