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Michigan lands 4-star 2025 RB out of prominent Florida program
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Michigan has added a blue-chip running back from the South to its 2025 recruiting class on Sunday.
Donovan Johnson is the newest pledge for the Wolverines. He took to social media on Sunday to share the big news.
View this post on Instagram
Out of the prominent IMG Academy program in Bradenton, Florida, Johnson is listed as measuring 6-feet, 205 pounds. On the 247Sports Composite, Johnson is rated 4-stars, the No. 16 running back, No. 34 recruit in the state of Florida and No. 232 prospect overall nationally.
The son of former Citadel QB Derrick Johnson, Donovan Johnson began his high school career playing for Calvary Day in Savannah, Georgia.
As a freshman, Johnson rushed for 1,336 yards (8.1 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns on the school’s varsity squad. He took part in the FBU Freshman All-American Bowl.
Johnson headed further south of IMG in 2022 for his sophomore season. He would then miss the junior season after tearing his ACL.
During his recruitment, Johnson picked up scholarship offers from 29 programs, including Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Michigan State, Penn State, Texas A&M and USC. Michigan beat out the likes of Ohio State, Georgia, Florida State and Tennessee to land Johnson’s verbal pledge. Wolverines assistant Tony Alford was previously recruiting Johnson to OSU.
U-M now has two running backs on board for 2025. Last week, Jasper Parker out of Archbishop Shaw in Louisiana committed to play for the Wolverines. Parker is rated 3-stars, the No. 14 player in the state of Louisiana, No. 33 running back and No. 440 prospect overall for 2025.
With Johnson in the class, U-M is up to nine verbal commitments for 2025 at this stage of the cycle. Fans can get a preview of what Johnson brings to Ann Arbor by checking out video of highlights from his sophomore season below, via Hudl:
A former Florida beat reporter, Andrew writes for the Saturday Tradition News Desk.