3 problematic Michigan players vs. Texas

Will Johnson, CB

Another future early-round NFL Draft pick along Michigan's defense is junior star cornerback Will Johnson. The big and lengthy 6-foot-2 and 205-pound Johnson is one of the best man-to-man coverage corners in all of college football this year.

Johnson has a great combination of size, length, and athleticism that allows him to match up with just about any size and speed of wideout on the outside or out of the slot. He's got quick hips and excellent agility, allowing Johnson to hang stride-for-stride with opposing wideouts in pass coverage assignments in and out of their breaks running routes.

Texas won't face many corners that are better timing as ball hawks in the secondary than Johnson. He does a great job of tracking the ball in the air and making the right timing play on the ball. His length and ball skills make Johnson a big play turnover threat whenever he's targeted in pass coverage assignments in the passing game.

From a physicality perspective, Johnson is willing to use his length and hands to jam wideouts close to the line of scrimmage. And he knows how to play physically in the secondary in pass coverage without getting too aggressive or risking penalties for pass interference or holding.

Michigan really put Johnson out on an island in their opener last weekend against Fresno State. He did pretty well, granted Fresno State still threw for over 70 yards while targeting the receiver Johnson was assigned to cover last weekend.

Johnson had a long pick-six that essentially locked up the double-digit victory for the Wolverines in the fourth quarter against a scrappy Fresno team last Saturday night.

We're probably going to see Texas try to target Michigan's other corners, along with their free safety and nickel, in the passing game with Quinn Ewers this upcoming weekend on offense to stay away from Johnson in the Wolverine secondary.

Check out our latest Texas football articles on Hook'em Headlines