Photo Credit: Cornelius Johnson/Twitter

New Michigan Man: WR Cornelius Johnson Commits to Michigan

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

After signing a monster receiver class in 2017, the Michigan coaching staff was in need of loading up on the position this cycle. They put together a dynamic trio that was missing a big, physical, outside target. But that box is now checked as 2019 Brunswick School (CT) WR Cornelius Johnson has committed and signed with Michigan. 

Commitment 

Scouting Report 

I am a big fan of Johnson’s game and have been since he popped up on the Michigan recruiting front. He’s a big, athletic receiver that plays with a bit of swag while showing off strong hands, a large catch radius, and the knack for making highlight reel catches. He’s also a good, strong route runner that knows how to get separation and has those long strides and burst to go get it.  

With plenty of playing time very likely available in 2020, Johnson could be a breakout name to watch during his sophomore season. He’s a guy I see having a very nice career in the maize and blue. 

Recruitment 

Johnson received his offer from the staff in March during a stream of offers from several of the nation’s elite. However, the Michigan offer stood out thanks to his mother being from Detroit and a Michigan alum, as well as  the four-star standout being a top prospect on and off the court. The fit just looked right. 

Like with a lot of the recruitments for high end prospects on the field and in the classroom, this was a battle between the same trio as always: Michigan, Notre Dame, and Stanford. 

All three programs had the momentum at one point over the last seven months, including Michigan early on thanks to an unofficial to town in mid-April, but it was Stanford that looked to be the sure-fire pick, even though he was a top target for UM, as recent as late-November. But like with a lot of recruiting classes, a numbers crunch looked to open up Johnson’s recruitment. 

247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong first reported the door opening for Johnson and two Big Ten teams becoming the favorites in Michigan and Penn State ($). And though the Nittany Lions were pushing hard to add another receiver to its class, the relationships between Johnson with the staff, players and recruits, ties to the program, and educational opportunities in Ann Arbor were just too much to pass up. 

Johnson committed to and signed with Michigan during Early Signing Day, giving the Wolverines another big time get in 2019 and a really nice receiver haul overall, alongside Quintel Kent, Giles Jackson, and George Johnson. 

  • Height: 6’3” 
  • Weight: 195lbs
  • Hometown (School): Greenwich, CT (Brunswick School)
  • Notable Offers: Stanford, Alabama, Penn State, Notre Dame
  • Rankings: Rivals (3*, #69 WR) – 247Sports (4*, #185 overall) – ESPN (4*, #245 overall)
  • Composite Ranking: Four-star, #256 Overall, #39 WR, #2 in Connecticut 

Highlights

As for the Rest of the Class

Johnson is the 27th overall commitment in this class, the 4th wide receiver, and the 2nd commit out of Connecticut. His addition is a big one for the receiver position, that needed a big haul in this class. With him on board, the class may be done with Early Signing Day but may look to add a piece or two at running back, defensive tackle, tight end, or linebacker ahead of NSD on February 6th. 

Photo Credit: Cornelius Johnson/Twitter

Garrett Fishaw
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