Cornelius Johnson (wide receiver)

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.

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.

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.

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.

In 2021, as a junior, Johnson led Michigan with 39 receptions for 620 yards and three touchdowns. 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.

As a senior, in 2022, Johnson caught 32 passes for 499 yards and 6 touchdowns. 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.

In 2023, Johnson returned for a 5th season and won a national championship with Michigan. 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.

Professional career
Johnson was selected in the seventh round, 253rd overall, by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2024 NFL draft.