Will Johnson, a Michigan football player, speaks to The Michigan Insider about his injuries ahead of the CFP against Alabama in the Rose Bowl.
Will Johnson, a Michigan football star, confirmed to The Michigan Insider that he will play in the College Football Playoff against Alabama.
“For sure, I’ll be out there,” Johnson told TMI on Sunday afternoon. “I’m feeling terrific. “I’m feeling great.”
Johnson will “100%” play versus Alabama if no setbacks occur between now and January 1.
Johnson stated earlier this month that he “tweaked a little something” in the second half of the regular-season finale versus Ohio State, worsening an injury he had previously injured in practice. Despite being “out there at practice” ahead of the Big Ten Championship Game, Johnson did not play against Iowa as the Wolverines claimed their third consecutive title.
But, as he told TMI on Sunday afternoon during a toy drive co-hosted by Semaj Morgan, the illness will not keep him from competing in the CFP.
The sophomore’s comeback will be critical for the Wolverines against Jalen Milroe and Alabama’s powerful receiving corps. It should also allow Mike Sainristil to return to the slot corner, where he thrived in 2022 and 2023.
Below is what Johnson said earlier this month about his sophomore season and the Alabama matchup:
On being named to the All-Big Ten First Team:
It feels fantastic. That’s like a dream come true. That simply goes to demonstrate how much regard the individuals at the conference have for me. So it sure feels fantastic to have that regard from everyone.
On the matchup against Marvin Harrison Jr. and Ohio State:
It always feels like blood is pumping in that game. That’s all you can think of when you first enter the game. That duel between myself and Marv was highly anticipated before to the game. So my purpose was simply to shut him down as much as possible. He’s a tremendous player, so he’ll get his share, but that was fantastic. It was a movie, after all, akin to the ’21 game. It was amazing to get the win.
On making so many big plays on big stages throughout his U-M career:
I wouldn’t say I surprise myself, but it’s amazing how everything works – how in those big moments, I’m able to make those plays and be in the right place at the right time. So I wouldn’t say surprise, but with the accolades and other things, even those don’t feel surprising. It’s more humbling. I wasn’t expecting it, but I believe I earned it. So that’s not shocking, but I believe I deserved it.
On the secondary depth stepping up against Ohio State and Iowa:
I was upset because I couldn’t play. I was worried about it. And those people approached me and said, ‘Man, don’t worry about it. We want you to do what is best for you, and we will support you.’ That just goes to illustrate how close we are. We acquired a lot of information. We practice hard to be able to play many positions because we know that if that situation arises, we need to be prepared. So, no matter what happens, we’ve always had each other’s back. They had my back in that situation.
On Mike Sainristil emerging on the national stage:
I had the impression that they are still sleeping on him. I mean, he didn’t make the first team or anything like that. It’s all of those things, guy. They’d probably be sleeping on him. I noticed him on the All-Big Ten team as well, but I believe he was only on the first team with the media. I’m not sure what the coaches were looking at the entire season. He has five picks, two pick-sixes, and has made plays all year. Someone is going to get a terrific talent in the Draft next year.
On his early impressions of Alabama and the Rose Bowl:
We had a little break this week, so I’ve been trying to take use of it. But I’ve seen what they have. They’re a really skilled club, but I believe we’re also pretty talented, so it’ll be a fantastic clash.
