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Michigan cornerback Will Johnson entered the 2025 NFL Draft, ending his college career with his sights set on being a first-round pick in April.

Johnson, ranked as a top 10 player overall by Field Level Media in the 2025 draft rankings, is one of two Wolverines defenders to declare for the draft this week. Defensive tackle Mason Graham, another first-round prospect in Field Level Media rankings, announced his exit from Ann Arbor on Tuesday.

With elite size (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) and big-time production in the Big Ten, Johnson is projected as high as the No. 5 overall pick in 2025. He had nine career interceptions and set the record with three career interception returns for touchdowns.

“I want to start by thanking God for guiding me every step of the way. I would be nothing without Him and his hand on my life,” Johnson said in his farewell announcement posted to social media Wednesday. “To my coaches – Thank you to Coach Harbaugh for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play at Michigan, it was a true honor.”

Johnson played in only six games in 2024 and said he won’t be playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama this month.

Johnson was sidelined for Michigan’s win over Ohio State last month with a toe injury and missed one game with a shoulder injury. He has been limited by the toe injury since leaving the game at Illinois on Oct. 19, but is expected to be healthy for the pre-draft circuit starting with the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

The defensive MVP of the national championship game in January, Johnson had two interception returns for touchdowns this season. He had four picks last season for the undefeated Wolverines, including an interception of then-quarterback Kyle McCord in the rivalry game against Ohio State that featured Johnson matching up with 2023 first-rounder Marvin Harrison Jr.

–Field Level Media