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Michigan Football: 3 freshmen who can start right away in 2022

By Chris Peterson

Macomb Dakota defenders De'javion Stepney, left, and Nico Vitale, center, tackle Grosse Pointe South receiver Will Johnson during the second half at Grosse Pointe South high school Friday, Oct. 2, 2020.Preps Dakota
Macomb Dakota defenders De'javion Stepney, left, and Nico Vitale, center, tackle Grosse Pointe South receiver Will Johnson during the second half at Grosse Pointe South high school Friday, Oct. 2, 2020.Preps Dakota /
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It has been a wild offseason for Michigan football. But Jim Harbaugh is back and after signing a top-10 recruiting class, here are three freshmen who can start right away. 

The last six weeks have been pretty wild for Michigan football. There was losing to Georgia in the College Football Playoff and then just a whirlwind.

The Jim Harbaugh saga played out for more than a month as Michigan football fans wondered if he was returning or bolting to the NFL. He nearly signed a deal with the Vikings but things fell apart and he says he is returning to Michigan for good.

We’ll see if that winds up being true. Yet, whatever you might say about Harbaugh, he’s been honest and upfront about his interest. He didn’t hide it so until he does or says something to make me believe he’s not staying “as long as Michigan will have me” as he said, I will take him at his word.

And despite all the talk of it having a negative impact on recruiting (yes it wasn’t great) the impact was probably overblown. The Wolverines signed 23 recruits in the early period and still have a shot at five-star Josh Conerly Jr. who didn’t put pen to paper on National Signing Day.

The recruiting class signed was a good one and here are three incoming freshmen who have a chance to play and start right away.

CB Will Johnson

This is a no-brainer because Johnson is the top-ranked recruit in Michigan football’s 2022 recruiting class and he also plays a position where the Wolverines are a little thin on depth following the departure of Vincent Gray.

Beyond that, Johnson is just a generational talent. He’s going to wear No. 2 and is 6-foot-3. He’s ranked as the No. 14 overall prospect according to the 247 sports composite rankings and since he enrolled early, even took part in a few bowl game practices.

I’m sure we will hear plenty about him in the spring and even if he doesn’t start on the outside, he’s going to at least be the nickel back which was essentially a starting job last season.

People keep talking about who is going to replace Daxton Hill and my answer is Will Johnson. The dude can run, he can tackle and while you won’t always want him in the slot, Hill wasn’t always either. But Johnson could impact the game in a bunch of ways. He could also help cover a really good tight end if needed.

Or, Michigan could just put him on the outside across from D.J. Turner and feel really good about it for the entire 2022 season. Either way, Johnson will see starter-level snaps on defense next season.

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