*** Five-star 2022 Grosse Pointe (Mich.) South cornerback Will Johnson is closing in on a decision. Johnson actually had a tentative date set for the end of this month but may push it back a little longer to give new Michigan defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald an opportunity to recruit him. Right now, I would say Johnson's top three schools are Michigan, Ohio State and USC. Oklahoma has fallen off a bit. Notre Dame is trying to make a push, but I don't think Johnson sees himself in South Bend. Right now, the race is tight, and Johnson really doesn't know where he's going.
*** Obviously, it's a positive that Johnson is giving Macdonald an opportunity to recruit him. Macdonald was just eliminated from the NFL playoffs this weekend, but he's already recruiting for the Wolverines. Macdonald shot Johnson a text this morning, where he basically just introduced himself. Expect Macdonald to get on the phone or Zoom with Johnson at some point this week. Johnson said he's looking forward to getting to know him and learning more about what type of defense he's going to run.
*** The bigger concern for Johnson is the status of the cornerbacks coach at Michigan. From what I've gathered from talking to Johnson and Dillon Tatum today, Michael Zordich has not been in communication for the last week and a half. At this point, I do not expect Zordich back in Ann Arbor, and Johnson sees the writing on the wall as well. Johnson did have a good relationship with Zordich, but after sitting down with Johnson today, I don't think his departure is as big of a factor as we may have thought. Johnson is paying very close attention to who Macdonald brings in to coach his position.
*** Johnson spent all weekend with fellow five-star cornerback Domani Jackson over the weekend. In fact, Johnson spent most of Sunday at Jackson's house. The two are still talking about playing with each other, and their families have grown close. Right now, however, I'm not expecting the package deal to happen. I'm very close to putting in a FutureCast for Jackson to land at USC. On the flip side of the coin, I think Johnson wants to stay in the Midwest. I still feel like Ohio State is Michigan's biggest threat. He likes the stability there as well as the Buckeyes' ability to develop defensive backs into high draft picks — we actually talked a little bit about Jeff Okudah.
*** My FutureCast has been on Michigan for a while, and I'm not changing it at this time. But if I had to give a school an advantage, I would give it to Ohio State. Macdonald and company have a lot of work to do. Johnson's only contact with Michigan as of late has been with area recruiter Sherrone Moore. But Michigan's ace recruiter can only do so much with so many moving parts on the defensive side of the ball.
*** Obviously, it's a positive that Johnson is giving Macdonald an opportunity to recruit him. Macdonald was just eliminated from the NFL playoffs this weekend, but he's already recruiting for the Wolverines. Macdonald shot Johnson a text this morning, where he basically just introduced himself. Expect Macdonald to get on the phone or Zoom with Johnson at some point this week. Johnson said he's looking forward to getting to know him and learning more about what type of defense he's going to run.
*** The bigger concern for Johnson is the status of the cornerbacks coach at Michigan. From what I've gathered from talking to Johnson and Dillon Tatum today, Michael Zordich has not been in communication for the last week and a half. At this point, I do not expect Zordich back in Ann Arbor, and Johnson sees the writing on the wall as well. Johnson did have a good relationship with Zordich, but after sitting down with Johnson today, I don't think his departure is as big of a factor as we may have thought. Johnson is paying very close attention to who Macdonald brings in to coach his position.
*** Johnson spent all weekend with fellow five-star cornerback Domani Jackson over the weekend. In fact, Johnson spent most of Sunday at Jackson's house. The two are still talking about playing with each other, and their families have grown close. Right now, however, I'm not expecting the package deal to happen. I'm very close to putting in a FutureCast for Jackson to land at USC. On the flip side of the coin, I think Johnson wants to stay in the Midwest. I still feel like Ohio State is Michigan's biggest threat. He likes the stability there as well as the Buckeyes' ability to develop defensive backs into high draft picks — we actually talked a little bit about Jeff Okudah.
*** My FutureCast has been on Michigan for a while, and I'm not changing it at this time. But if I had to give a school an advantage, I would give it to Ohio State. Macdonald and company have a lot of work to do. Johnson's only contact with Michigan as of late has been with area recruiter Sherrone Moore. But Michigan's ace recruiter can only do so much with so many moving parts on the defensive side of the ball.
