Cornelius Johnson (wide receiver) explained

Cornelius Johnson
Currentteam:Los Angeles Chargers
Number:86
Position:Wide receiver
Birth Date:29 November 2000
Birth Place:Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lb:208
High School:Brunswick (CT)
College:Michigan (2019–2023)
Draftyear:2024
Draftround:7
Draftpick:253
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
Pfr:J/JohnCo02

Cornelius Alexius Theodore Johnson (born November 29, 2000) is an American football wide receiver for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, winning three consecutive Big Ten Conference titles and a national championship in 2023. He was selected by the Chargers in the 2024 NFL draft.

High school career

Johnson attended Brunswick School, in Greenwich, Connecticut. As a senior, he was selected as the 2018 Gatorade Player of the Year in Connecticut.

In 2018, he caught 50 passes for 826 yards and 12 touchdowns, leading the Bruins (8-2) to the New England Prep School Athletic Council Mike Silipo Bowl Game. Selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, Johnson ran for a score and returned a kickoff for a touchdown. A two-time All-New England honoree, he concluded his high school football career with 2,167 receiving yards and 33 touchdowns.[1]

Johnson's mother is a graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School. In December 2018, Johnson announced his commitment to play college football at the University of Michigan.[2]

College career

Johnson enrolled at the University of Michigan in 2019. As a freshman, he caught four passes for 61 yards and his first career touchdown, a 39-yard pass thrown by Shea Patterson against Michigan State on November 16.[3]

As a sophomore, in 2020, he appeared in all six games (three as a starter) in Michigan's COVID-shortened season, catching 16 passes for 254 yards, including 82 yards against Indiana, and 105 yards against Rutgers.[4] [5] [6] [7]

In 2021, as a junior, Johnson led Michigan with 39 receptions for 620 yards and three touchdowns.[8] On September 18, he connected with Cade McNamara for an 87-yard touchdown reception, the third longest catch in Michigan football history. Against Wisconsin on October 2, he had two touchdown receptions.[9]

As a senior, in 2022, Johnson caught 32 passes for 499 yards and 6 touchdowns.[10] On November 26, 2022, against Ohio State, Johnson caught four passes for 160 yards, including receiving touchdowns of 69 and 75 yards, both in the second quarter, helping to lead the Wolverines to a victory over the Buckeyes.[11]

In 2023, Johnson returned for a 5th season and won a national championship with Michigan.[12] He was named All-Big Ten honorable mention, finishing the season with 47 receptions for 604 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 40 yards.[13]

Statistics

Season! colspan="2"
GamesReceivingRushing
GP GS Rec Yards Avg TD Att Yards Avg TD
Michigan Wolverines
201912 0 4 61 15.3 1 0 0 0.0 0
20206 3 16 254 15.9 3 0 0 0.0 0
202114 14 39 620 15.9 3 3 30 10.0 0
202214 14 32 499 15.6 6 0 0 0.0 0
202315 14 47 604 12.9 1 3 40 13.3 0
Career[14] 61 45 138 2,038 14.8 14 6 70 11.7 0

Professional career

Johnson was selected in the seventh round, 253rd overall, by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2024 NFL draft.[15]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Brunswick school student-athlete named Gatorade Connecticut boys football Player of the Year. Gatorade.
  2. Web site: Jacobs . Jeff . December 19, 2018 . Cornelius Johnson chooses Michigan and warms his mom’s maize-and-blue heart . 2024-05-22 . Connecticut Post . en.
  3. Web site: Michigan State at Michigan Box Score, November 16, 2019 . 2024-06-05 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
  4. Web site: Cornelius Johnson College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits . 2024-06-05 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . Sports Reference LLC . en.
  5. Web site: Cornelius Johnson. University of Michigan. MGoBlue.com. September 18, 2021.
  6. News: Cornelius Johnson is claiming his place among Michigan. The Detroit News. August 24, 2021.
  7. News: McMann . Aaron . 2021-08-25 . Michigan WR Cornelius Johnson, improved and eager to win — ‘It’s non-negotiable’ . 2024-06-30 . The Ann Arbor News . en.
  8. Web site: 2021 Michigan Wolverines Stats. Sports Reference LLC. SR/College Football. January 11, 2022.
  9. News: No. 14 Michigan routs Wisconsin 38–17; Badgers QB Mertz hurt. ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 2, 2021.
  10. Web site: Cornelius Johnson 2022 Game Log . 2024-06-05 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
  11. Web site: Michigan at Ohio State Box Score, November 26, 2022 . 2024-06-05 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
  12. Web site: January 8, 2024 . Michigan stymies Michael Penix Jr., Washington to win CFP . 2024-06-05 . The New York Times . en-US.
  13. Web site: Pustell . Owen . January 27, 2024 . Media impressed with former Michigan football WR Cornelius Johnson at Shrine Bowl practice . 2024-06-30 . Wolverines Wire. USA Today.
  14. Web site: Cornelius Johnson College Stats. Sports-Reference.com. April 18, 2024.
  15. Web site: NFL draft 2024: WR Cornelius Johnson becomes 13th Michigan player picked, goes to Harbaugh’s Chargers . . Ryan . Zuke . April 27, 2024 . April 27, 2024.