Is Will Johnson playing today? Michigan CB's availability for Week 9 explored

The Michigan Wolverines will host the Michigan State Wolverines on Saturday evening. Heading into the matchup, one of the biggest questions is the status of star cornerback Will Johnson.

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Is Will Johnson playing today?

Michigan Wolverines star cornerback Will Johnson will likely play on Saturday as the Wolverines host the Michigan State Spartans.

Johnson left Michigan's last game against Illinois and didn't return. During the week, coach Sherrone Moore was uncertain if Johnson would play.

“We’ll see,” Moore said on Monday relating to Johnson, via MaizenBrew.

However, Michigan defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan was more optimistic about Johnson playing. He spoke to the media on Wednesday and said Johnson is working through the injury and is hopeful he will be in the lineup.

“Will Johnson, we did some things where he did last week,” Morgan said on Wednesday. “Some of our guys are modified throughout the week. There are different things that they’re doing. I think right now Will Johnson is just working through — be his best all the time when he gets on the field. I think we have done a good job. I think he has done a great job."

“So right now, Will is — the game’s not played today. There’s a lot of guys that maybe didn’t go full speed all the way until Wednesday and Thursday and had a heck of a game on Saturday."

"So that’s kind of what Will’s doing right now, just trying to get his mind right. He’s always in the game plan, in the front row, challenging guys, coaching every day. So that’s kind of what Will’s doing right now. We’re excited about Will. I know when he gets on the field, he’ll go 100 percent.”

Johnson is the best player on the Wolverines and is expected to be a top pick in the 2025 NFL draft. The star cornerback has recorded 14 tackles and two interceptions this season.

Last season, Johnson recorded 27 tackles, four pass defenses and four interceptions and was a key reason for the Wolverines winning the national championship.

Johnson is ranked as the second-best prospect in the 2025 NFL draft by ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. in his latest rankings.

Michigan is a five-point favorite to defeat Michigan State.