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Apr 2, 2026, 3:45 PM CUT
"Since Day 1": Michigan Football Likely To Land Elite Recruit's Pledge Amid SEC Push
Kyle Whittingham's Michigan still has a long way to go in catching up on the 2027 recruiting trail. Ranking 20th with only six commits, Michigan received a major recruiting boost. A four-star cornerback is now trending for Michigan while an SEC powerhouse keeps pushing.
The Murrieta (Calif.) Murrieta Valley product Darius Johnson is likely to land with Michigan. According to On3's crystal ball, the Wolverines have 65% chance of bringing him to Ann Arbor. It's the Jernaro Gilford factor that tilts things in their favor. Michigan hired Gilford in January this year, but Darius has known the cornerbacks coach for years.
“That’s a big deal because he saw the potential in me since three years ago,” Darius said. “That means a lot in this recruiting process that we have a good relationship and he’s seen it in me since Day 1.”
Darius and Gilford go way back, when the cornerback was in his freshman year, and Gilford was coaching at Brigham Young University (BYU). The four-star recruit just wrapped his trip to Ann Arbor and had a great time.
"Thank you Michigan football! Had a great time and loved meeting the new staff!! Amazing group of coaches, looking forward to getting over there again! #goblue," he tweeted, posing with Gilford.
With Michigan standing strong in Darius' recruiting race, the Wolverines are not the only team chasing the cornerback. The Oklahoma Sooners are pushing hard, holding 16.2% chance according to On3.
They have an edge since Darius' elder brother, Derrick Johnson, is part of Brent Venables' 2026 class. Other than the family factor involved, Oklahoma enjoys a better position than Michigan, with already 20 commitments to the 2027 class.
The Murrieta Valley High School player, Darius, ranks as the No. 26 cornerback and No. 251 overall player nationally. He recorded 29 tackles, two tackles for a loss, one sack, and one interception, making him a top target.
What did a recruiting expert say about Michigan's cornerback target?
Michigan football needs a cornerback. Jyaire Hill, Zeke Berry, and transfer Smith Snowden are on their last stint in college football. Even though they have signed three cornerbacks for the 2026 recruiting class, recruiting expert Greg Biggins favors Darius to pick the Wolverines as his new home for 2027.
“Johnson locked in his official visit with Michigan a month ago and told us at the time the Wolverines were the team to beat. Since then, he added an unofficial trip to Ann Arbor for later this month, and if said trip goes well. It won’t shock us at all if Johnson decides to cancel a few trips set to other programs,” said Biggins.
Biggins places the California Golden Bears as the biggest competition to Kyle Whittingham and the Michigan Wolverines. UCLA Bruins are also staying in the race, while the Oregon Ducks keep pushing hard. But the Big Ten giant has other cornerback targets with higher ratings.
Share your thoughts on where Darius Johnson will play college football in 2027.
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