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Michigan football: 3 second-year players who’ll become stars in 2023

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Will Johnson (2) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Will Johnson (2) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Will Johnson (2) breaks up a pass in the end zone intense for Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen (2) during the second half of the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Will Johnson (2) breaks up a pass in the end zone intense for Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen (2) during the second half of the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

OK, you could argue that Will Johnson is already a star for Michigan, but I don’t even think he’s come close to his ceiling yet.

As a freshman, the former five-star cornerback posted 27 tackles, two tackles for loss, three picks, and three pass breakups. It was a really good season for the hometown prospect and he’s going to be even better in 2023.

It didn’t matter who he was matched up with in 2022, he never looked outmatched and that’s rare for a freshman cornerback

Gemon Green and DJ Turner are both gone so that means the cornerback positions are going to be wide open and Johnson will be the clear starter and he’ll need to carry the defensive backfield on his back.

He’ll do just that.

I could see him having an All-American type season for Michigan.

Next. Way-too-early Top 25 projections for 2023. dark

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