Among the record 18 Michigan football players at the NFL Scouting Combine was receiver Cornelius Johnson. After impressing at the Shrine Bowl earlier this offseason, Johnson again raised eyebrows with elite testing numbers in Indianapolis.
Below, we look at Johnson’s performance in Indianapolis, his scouting profile and if he’ll hear his named called at the 2024 NFL Draft.
Cornelius Johnson’s measurements at the NFL Combine
Height: 6-foot-2 6/8 (85th percentile among wide receivers in NFL Combine history, per RAS.Football)
Wingspan: 77 2/8 inches
Cornelius Johnson’s testing numbers at the NFL Combine
Vertical jump: 37.5 inches (85th percentile)
Broad jump: 10′ 7″ (90th percentile
Cornelius Johnson: NFL Combine performance takeaways
– Cornelius Johnson’s testing numbers were excellent, amounting to a 99th percentile Relative Athletic Score among his peers. While he didn’t garner the same headlines as, say, Xavier Worthy and his record-setting 40-yard dash, Johnson showcased athletic potential that exceeded expectations. Pairing his 40-yard dash and broad jump with his height (7th-tallest among receivers at the 2024 NFL Combine) and weight (T-4th heaviest) create the profile of an NFL-caliber wideout.
– I didn’t love Johnson’s rep in the gauntlet drill at the Combine, but his showing at the Shrine Bowl against NFL hopeful DBs was valuable for a player who was relatively underutilized as a receiver given Michigan’s offense.
– I do think Johnson increased his value at the NFL Combine. That said, the event proved the depth of this receiver class. Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell and Ladd McConkey were among the wideouts who performed well in Indianapolis, and Marvin Harrison Jr. — who opted out of testing and media interviews — remains the headliner. Cornelius Johnson impressed, but franchises will have their pick of good options come draft day.
Cornelius Johnson’s career at Michigan
Cornelius Johnson enjoyed a productive five-year career at Michigan. After arriving on-campus as a four-star recruit and the top prospect from the state of Connecticut, the receiver appeared in 12 games as a freshman in 2019, catching his first touchdown from Shea Patterson against Michigan State.
After starting half of U-M’s games in the shortened 2020 season, Johnson emerged as the Wolverines’ leading receiver in 2021 in the wake of Ronnie Bell’s injury. He led Michigan in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns en route to a Big Ten title. He again led the team in receiving scores in 2022, highlighted by his 160 yards and two touchdowns against Ohio State. Though his 2023 season was somewhat overshadowed statistically by Roman Wilson, Johnson had a career high in receptions (47), added 40 rushing yards and improved as a blocker to help U-M on its path to an undefeated season.
