NFL NEWS NOW;’ After receiving a blockbuster contract extension, the Michigan safety has made his ultimate decision…
Despite losing almost two dozen players to the NFL Draft this winter, one Michigan football player has clearly decided to return.
Despite losing almost two dozen players to the NFL Draft this winter, one Michigan football player has clearly decided to return. Although the precise date of the decision is unknown, reserve safety Quinten Johnson plans to play for the Wolverines for a sixth season in 2024, as 247Sports was able to confirm on Monday night.
Johnson, who will turn 24 in June, already submitted his NFL Draft declaration on February 2. He participated in all 15 of Michigan’s fall games, recording 323 defensive snaps as a backup safety and ending with 22 tackles, one interception, five pass breakups, and one forced fumble. He gave up 75 receiving yards on seven receptions on ten targets while covering; no ball was completed for a score or for more than 22 yards. After playing no defensive snaps in 2019 or 2020, nine defensive snaps in 2021, and 163 plays in the 2022 season, Johnson had a career year.
Notwithstanding, the 200-pound, 5-foot-11 player has participated in Michigan’s last 41 games and has shown himself to be a valuable special teams player. With 282 special teams snaps in 2021, he ranked fourth on the club. With 252 special teams snaps in 2022, he led the team. Last fall, he finished fifth with 178 special teams snaps.
Johnson is expected to support the return of outstanding safety Rod Moore and Makari Paige in 2024. Prior to an injury limiting him to one defensive snap in the national championship game, Johnson actually played more defensive snaps than Sabb in Michigan’s first 14 games (323 to 299). Michigan had lost its former No. 3 safety, Keon Sabb, to Alabama.