Ron Johnson Jr. Archives - Page 2 of 4

24May 2019

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Ron Johnson, Jr., Ex-Wolverine

Redshirt junior defensive end Ron Johnson, Jr. has entered the transfer portal and will not return to Michigan.

Johnson was a member of the 2016 recruiting class and signed with the Wolverines out of Camden (NJ) Camden, along with wide receiver/safety Brad Hawkins (who then took a prep year). He was a Semper Fidelis All-American and I gave Johnson a TTB Rating of 83 (LINK).

However, Johnson has been languishing somewhere in the 70s of the last few season countdowns, and there just hasn’t been much progress. He bulked up to play some 3-technique defensive tackle at one point, but he transitioned back to defensive end without a noticeable move upward on the depth chart at either spot. He played one game as a true freshman and did not see the field in either 2017 or 2018. He was not expected to play a significant role in 2019, so this loss opens up a scholarship for a transfer or a walk-on.

Michigan now has just 83 scholarship players slated to be on the roster in 2019 (LINK). Not counting Hawkins (who signed again in 2017), Michigan is down to just 14 out of 28 players who signed with the Wolverines in that 2016 class.

5Jul 2018

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2018 Season Countdown: #75 Ron Johnson, Jr.

Ron Johnson, Jr.

Name: Ron Johnson, Jr.
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 245 lbs.
High school: Camden (NJ) Camden
Position: Defensive end
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #17
Last year: I ranked Johnson #71 and said he would be a backup defensive end (LINK). Johnson did not see game action.

Johnson had an opening for playing time in 2017 when Taco Charlton and Chris Wormley had graduated, elevating Chase Winovich and Rashan Gary to bigger roles. Johnson was never going to pass either of those guys, but at least there were some backup snaps available. But Johnson continued to be invisible, which was expected after he spent part of the spring playing defensive tackle due to a lack of bodies.

I’m expecting more of the same in 2018. Johnson has not generated any buzz in the off-season, and everybody returns in his position group. Winovich has one more year, and Gary could jump to the NFL after 2018, too. Maybe things will open up a little bit in 2019, but for now, Johnson will probably be a little used backup, at best. On the plus side, he has earned Scout Team Defensive Player of the Week honors three times during his two years on campus, so he obviously holds some value as a practice player.

Prediction: Backup defensive end

11Dec 2017

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Who might not return on defense in 2018?

Bryan Mone and Chase Winovich (image via iSportsWeb)

I addressed potential offensive attrition last week (LINK), and here’s the defensive edition. As I mentioned in that previous post, this is about the depth chart and opportunity for playing time; these posts are not about rumors or talent judgments.

DEFENSIVE LINE: First of all, it’s important to note that there are few places in the country where defensive linemen get better coaching than Michigan. If you want to be good and have the ability, Michigan gives you as good of a chance as anyone. It’s not like Alabama or Clemson, where elite recruits simply continue to be elite. It’s a place where walk-ons (Ryan Glasgow) and lowly 3-stars (Frank Clark, Maurice Hurst) can be turned into high draft picks. But if you’re not on their level, you won’t get on the field. In that regard, there are a few guys who are buried on the depth chart. One is defensive end Reuben Jones (RS Jr.), who has been passed by younger guys, and another is Ron Johnson (RS So.), who has bounced between defensive end and defensive tackle. Both are finding it difficult to find the field. Meanwhile, interior players Lawrence Marshall (RS Sr.) and Bryan Mone (RS Sr.) have both been passed by younger guys, most notably Aubrey Solomon, a 2017 signee. Michigan rotates defensive linemen quite a bit, so there’s playing time available for both, but becoming a starter would be a tall order. Most importantly of all, there’s a chance that Chase Winovich (RS Sr.) might enter the NFL Draft.

Hit the jump for a discussion of the linebackers and defensive backs.

2017 Season Countdown: #71 Ron Johnson, Jr.

Ron Johnson, Jr. (image via MWolverine)

Name: Ron Johnson, Jr.
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 245 lbs.
High school: Camden (NJ) Camden
Position: Defensive end
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #17
Last year: I ranked Johnson #73 and said he would redshirt. He redshirted.
TTB Rating: 83

Johnson came into last season as a relatively unpolished player with some decent upside, and with Michigan’s depth on the defensive line, the chances of him playing were slim. Michigan got a ton of production from the guys who did play, and Johnson wasn’t ready, anyway.

This spring Johnson was playing some defensive tackle, and it was hard to figure out the reason. He didn’t appear to be significantly bigger. The most likely reason is that Michigan didn’t have a ton of options at defensive tackle, combined with Johnson perhaps still not being a decent option for playing time on the outside. If the staff were counting on him to contribute heavily this fall, they would probably be giving him reps at the position he’s likely to play. I think Johnson is at least a year away from playing significant minutes, and we’ll see whether they continue to bulk him up for an interior position.

Prediction: Backup defensive end

27Jun 2016

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2016 Season Countdown: #73 Ron Johnson, Jr.

Ron Johnson, Jr. (image via Scout)

Name: Ron Johnson, Jr.
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 245 lbs.
High school: Camden (NJ) Camden
Position: Defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Johnson was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 112 tackles and 3 sacks.
Final TTB Rating: 83

Johnson was one of a pair of Camden products who signed with Michigan in February, along with receiver Brad Hawkins, Jr. Johnson ended up as the #300 overall player and the #23 weakside end in the country. He didn’t have great production as a pass rusher during his senior year, but he was making plays all over the field and maintained his ranking, for the most part. He ended up playing in the Semper Fi All-American Bowl.

Michigan needs pass rushers, so maybe Johnson can help this season. He’s a true weakside end at this point, but Michigan has Taco Charlton to start there. Backing him up is Chase Winovich, and the Wolverines can also use Carlo Kemp or Joshua Uche as pass rushers. I think Johnson needs to get stronger to hold up against college offensive tackles, and he’s not quite as explosive as Uche to be a pure speed rusher, so that’s why I’m placing him below the other guys. If Michigan can stay healthy up front, I think Johnson should probably redshirt. But as we saw last year with Bryan Mone, Ryan Glasgow, and Mario Ojemudia, the injuries can really pile up on the defensive line.

Prediction: Redshirt if possible