Previously unheralded defensive back standing out in Michigan’s fall camp so far

The Michigan Wolverines are a roster full of unknowns heading into the 2021 season. One of the groups with the most to sort out is at defensive back, where there are some entrenched names but a lot of fluidity behind them on the depth chart.

We know the Vincent Grays, Gemon Greens and DJ Turners of the world, but junior defensive back George Johnson, who we have yet to see get on the field, might be a name to keep an eye on.

Speaking with the media on Tuesday, senior wide receiver gave Johnson’s name when asked which defensive back has given him the most trouble during camp so far.

“You never know what you’re gonna get out of George,” Bell said. “George is a very unpredictable and very good DB.

“His technique, how he plays the game, he doesn’t necessarily do it like the rest. He doesn’t play like the rest of them. So it’s either misleading or it’s — he can catch you off-guard because he’s unorthodox.”

Johnson was a three-star recruit coming out of high school and was recruited as an athlete. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said at Big Ten Media Days that they are still looking for a home for Johnson, who could potentially bounce between safety and cornerback. At one point, he was a wide receiver earlier in his career.

Now in his third season, it seems like he has started to settle in.

“George is coming along,” senior safety Brad Hawkins said. “He’s very aggressive. He’s a great player. He’s a great defensive back. He’s gonna also continue to learn. That’s somebody I took under my wing as an older guy. He’s somebody that’s growing every single day, getting better every single day and he’s going out there competing.”

We will have to wait and see where he winds up as we inch closer to the Sept. 4 opener against Western Michigan.