Michigan's Will Johnson Eager For Challenge Of Facing Washington Offense

Sophomore cornerback Will Johnson has established himself as one of the top corners in all of college football, and he'll certainly be tested Monday night against Washington in the National Championship game.

Michigan cornerback Will Johnson has established himself as one of the top corners in all of college football, and he'll certainly be tested Monday night against Washington in the National Championship game. 

Meeting with the media on Saturday, Johnson talked about the upcoming matchup and what a win would mean for Michigan.

Photo: Christopher Breiler

Q. 2021 Ohio State, you weren't there for that game but how much has that game plan, shutting down those three NFL first round receivers, No. 2 pick in the draft quarterback, how much has that defensive game plan gone into the prep for a very similar offense in Washington this week?

WILL JOHNSON: I wouldn't say that that specific game impacts what we're doing this game because they are kind of different styles of offenses. But definitely with having those three talented receivers, there's some similarities, for sure, how to stop that elite passing game.

Q. Odunze has had a productive year. What stands out?

WILL JOHNSON: They have a great scheme. They know how to get him open a lot and put him in the right position a lot of the time. Penix is a great quarterback and puts the ball in good spots for him, too. He has pretty good ball skills. He tracks the ball well, has good hands. I mean, he's the reason why he has so many receiving yards this year is he's an elite receiver.

Q. He's up there with Marvin Harrison, Jr. In terms of production. How do you feel -- you matched up pretty well against Harrison against Ohio State. How do you feel like your success in that game will help you in this matchup?

WILL JOHNSON: I mean, I'm confident in myself. I mean, with most matchups, it really just about the preparation. That's the biggest way I think about it is prepare myself the best I can before the game and finish it and execute it.

Q. Are these the type of matchups you live for?

WILL JOHNSON: Definitely, on this type of stage, too, National Championship, going against an offense that loves to pass the ball. So creates opportunity for me. Can't wait.

Q. When you first put on the tape and watched him, what were your initial thoughts when Coach was breaking it down for you guys?

WILL JOHNSON: I had not watched much of their film before this game, so getting a feel for how much they actually do pass the ball, move around a lot, shifts and motions and things like that. They do a great job of hiding things and hiding what they want to run and things like that.

Q. From my amateur eye, they like to throw the fade ball a lot. Has that been ingrained in the back of your mind, knowing, hey, they are always going to try to hit you for the big one?

WILL JOHNSON: Penix has thrown a lot of 50/50 balls and hopes his receiver is going to make the play. As a DB, you have to go make the play, too, definitely.

Q. Does that excite you at all? You said he throws a lot of 50/50 balls. Does that get you excited, knowing it's an opportunity for a big play but an opportunity to make a big play for yourself, like an interception?

WILL JOHNSON: Exactly like you said. Those 50/50 balls, the reason it's 50/50, hopefully that 50 goes my way when the time comes. But definitely trying to make a play and I'm sure I'll have opportunities when the game comes.

Q. Lighter question. You've now had two big Bowls in a row because of the playoff. What's been the best thing in the gift suite so far?

WILL JOHNSON: In both games we got these watches and that's pretty well. I don't have any watches, so that's been good to get.

Q. Going against really strong receivers now in your career at Michigan. What have you seen from Odunze, and what does he present to the table that you have to defend?

WILL JOHNSON: Yeah, I'm excited to go against all of those receivers. They have a good core of receivers out there. They have, like I said earlier, they have got a great scheme and a great quarterback. They prepare very well for teams, too, and put their receivers in great positions. So we have to be prepared and go out there and execute.

Q. A really great receiving group, with one of the best in the country but you're one of the best defensive backs groups in the country. Where do you feel like you have the most advantages or what can you take advantage of the most?

WILL JOHNSON: I think our defense as a whole, not just the DBs. I think obviously the DBs have to stop the receivers but getting the pressure, showing them different looks. The way we run our defense as a whole is going to be huge, playing 11 on 1 defense and executing as a whole together.

Q. How do you plan to factor into that? Obviously we saw that you traveled some with Marvin Harrison, Jr. In that game against Ohio State. Is that something we could see potentially?

WILL JOHNSON: I mean, potentially. It will definitely be kind of a game-time decision but if the time comes, I'm sure I'll be on him, yeah.

Q. With having three or four weeks to prepare for Alabama, that long period and now just seven days to prepare for Washington, how does it feel to have a normal game week back?

WILL JOHNSON: Yeah, it's definitely a different week coming off the Alabama game because we had so long to prepare, and we had a lot of -- going into that game we knew what we were going to get.

This game is pretty similar because we knew how -- during the year we had the same kind of schedule during -- just one week. It's been good, getting back to that schedule.

Q. With all the pressure on the whole team for these two games, all the media on you guys, all the attention on you guys, how have you been able to prioritize your mental health making sure you're mentally prepared as well as physically prepared for this final game of the season?

WILL JOHNSON: Yeah, I mean, only got three days left with this team. So it's been just trying to take it all in and continue to be together just love on each other and be positive and be supportive and just finish it strong because we know after this game, I mean, everybody is kind of going to go their separate ways and things like that. Just enjoying it while we can.

Q. From the outside, this battle between their receivers and your secondary is thrilling to think about.

WILL JOHNSON: Yeah, definitely.

Q. Same from the inside? Do you consider it a gigantic match?

WILL JOHNSON: As far as the alignment up front?

Q. Their receivers and your secondary.

WILL JOHNSON: It's definitely going to be a fun matchup. It's probably as a group the best receiving core we've faced. We just have to go out there and do what we've been doing all year. Execute, trust Coach Minter's game plan and I think we will be in good positions.

Q. When you look at those receivers, what do you see? You know film; so what have you seen from them?

WILL JOHNSON: I mean, they are all kind of different style of receivers. I mean, the quarterback is really good, too, so he puts them in great positions. Gets the ball to them when they need to get the ball. So I mean, I think as a whole, just their connection with the quarterback is pretty good. That's why they excel so much.

Q. It seems like each unit has their own celebration, like the offense crowns each other. You guys have the turnover bluffs. Do you remember how that started and why it's become a thing for the last couple years?

WILL JOHNSON: Yeah, I mean, it started with -- I brought it to the team because it's a Detroit thing, to wear the white stick ear -- I thought it would be cool just to have something different bring to college football, bring the Detroit culture to Michigan. So we just carried that on and it's been great for our team. It's brought the defense together a lot.

Q. You have to remind me. Were you in the Fiesta Bowl last year?

WILL JOHNSON: Yeah, I was.

Q. You guys have lost one game in two years. That's an incredible run. When you look at that loss, was a fluke?

WILL JOHNSON: I wouldn't say it was a fluke but I would say it prepared us to be where we are right now, definitely.

Q. How so?

WILL JOHNSON: Just the attention to detail we had all year going into this year. Learning from our mistakes on defense. We created the pillars. That's what, really, our defense is built on just because of those games with tackling, effort, pursuit to the ball, all those type of things, just carrying that over into this year was huge.

Q. Michael Penix is 24. He's in his sixth year of college football and we are seeing now guys play six and even seven years of college football. Is that age discrepancy, is it an unfair disadvantage where you have a senior who is in his sixth or seventh year and you have a freshman who is 18 or 19 years old?

WILL JOHNSON: It's definitely kind of crazy how it works. We are all out there playing football, so if you're out there, you've got to be able to make plays and it's the reason you're out there. So you can't really worry too much about it. But it's definitely interesting to see for sure.

Q. This group of receivers obviously for Washington, you've probably been asked this, super talented. What have you seen with them on film that maybe is the key to keeping them in front and making it tough for them? They still make contested catches.

WILL JOHNSON: Yeah, like you said, Penix throws up those 50/50 balls a lot and they make those catches. As a DB, I feel like you've got be to able to go get it yourself or make plays on the ball, too, because it's 50/50. It's one or the other way, so you have to try to come down with it yourself.

Q. What is the go-to pregame song for you before warmups?

WILL JOHNSON: I always got to listen to some Gunna & Taurus. Just like high school, always listen to that song.

Q. If Coach Harbaugh had an NIL deal, what would it be?

WILL JOHNSON: Probably with Coke. He always carry around a little Coke can with him, a little Diet Coke.

Q. Who is the most underrated dude on this team?

WILL JOHNSON: That's a tough question.

Q. A dude doesn't get credit for why the team is here playing for the Natty.

WILL JOHNSON: Dang, that's tough. I would say the scout team guys. Shout-out to scout team. They get us right every week and make sure we are prepared.

Q. Favorite sports movie?

WILL JOHNSON: What's it called, remember the Mighty Ducks with the hockey? I like that movie, too.

Q. What does Penix do to an opposing defense?

WILL JOHNSON: He's very well at recognizing defenses and prettying what they are giving him and he's always on time with the ball. Gets it out quick. So.

I mean, just got to -- I don't want to say what we do to try to stop that, but just got to try to throw his look off a little bit and make him make perfect throws, which he has made. So just have to be able to be there to contest everything.

Q. Is there something about Washington that makes it hard to sleep at night for you guys?

WILL JOHNSON: I wouldn't say it makes us hard to sleep at night but definitely a team we have to be prepared for and somebody that we have to come out and execute at a high level for.

Q. How much more fun are games when they go down to the wire, like in the Rose Bowl, as opposed to what you guys were doing earlier in the season?

WILL JOHNSON: Yeah, that was an incredible game. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. But I also would have loved to not make it close like that, either, and end it pretty early.

So I mean, I would love this game to not be that close but it's also fun to be in that environment for sure.

Q. Jim Harbaugh has gushed about this quarterback. He doesn't hesitate to do that. J.J. says he's a little bit -- it embarrasses him a bit. But do you guys give him some grief when you hear constantly your coach talking about how great this kid is?

WILL JOHNSON: No, I mean, he's a great quarterback. So give credit where credit's due. I mean, we still got to go out there and do our thing and try and stop it.

Q. This is going to be a drastically different roster next year. Curious about your take as one of the younger guys, talented, on the team. What are Michigan fans looking forward to next year? Is it a national title or bust season because of the loaded veteran type roster on it?

WILL JOHNSON: I think that's a part of it for sure because we had a lot of guys that came back just for this game right here. I think we also got a young guys that they kind of play sparingly throughout the year and they will have a key role next year and I think they will be prepared for it.

Q. What do you hope to learn from this experience as one of the younger guys and being a leader on the team next year?

WILL JOHNSON: We have a great leaders on the team this year and last year that I have been able to learn from. Hopefully I'm able to carry that in a positive way next year and lead the DBs as best I can.

Q. Is it concerning at all, the uncertainty with whether or not Harbaugh comes back and whether there are sanctions on wins, anything like that? Does that concern you?

WILL JOHNSON: I wouldn't say it concerns me. It's definitely something everybody likes to talk about but yeah, just locked in on this game right here and trying to finish this season as strong as we can.

Q. Would you say you guys are loose or uptight?

WILL JOHNSON: I would say we are loose. Ready to go out and play ball for sure.

Q. How do you deal with the pressure of your teammates looking you dead in the eye trying to answer a question?

WILL JOHNSON: I'm used to it. They are always giving me grief like this, so it's all good.

Q. What significance is it to you that you're in the tenth one of these and obviously it was very young and new at the time. Do you know of a championship in college football that's different than the CFP?

WILL JOHNSON: It's pretty cool. It's a dream come true right here playing in this game. I'm glad we got to play in it before the whole 12-team playoff thing. Ended off with a bang with the four-team playoff. Glad to be here.

Q. Why are you glad to do it before the 12?

WILL JOHNSON: No reason. I just like to finish this out, the four-team one strong.

Q. Tell me about what Courtney Morgan and your relationship was like with him when you were recruited, and is it weird to you at any point that now he's trying to find players like you for the team that are playing in the national title game?

WILL JOHNSON: Courtney is a goat. He did a lot for this program when he was here, recruited guys like Mason and KG, found guys like that that nobody really knew about and got them on our team. He's one of the people that helped build the program to where it is now and issue it's one of the reasons why Washington is here, too. He's the undercover guy that's doing everything behind the scenes.