This story is reprinted from our friends at Wolverines Wire. Site editor Isaiah Hole reports:

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WIXOM, Mich. — Michigan legacy Will Johnson has a tough decision coming up in short order.

The five-star cornerback from Grosse Pointe (MI) South put out a ‘final five’ that included Michigan, USC, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Arizona State, but the latter two don’t appear to be in as close contention as the former three.

A lot is in flux at the moment. Michigan just changed defensive coordinators and isn’t expected to retain CB coach Mike Zordich. Fellow 2022 five-star CB Domani Jackson and Johnson have claimed that they intend to play together, but that’s not a sure thing. Jackson is announcing his school of choice on Saturday. Ohio State is in the thick of things and very well could be the favorite, but if Jackson picks USC, could Johnson follow?

For the moment, Johnson doesn’t know what he’s going to do, but he knows that three schools are standing out.

“For Michigan, I need to see who the new cornerbacks coach is and how the new defensive staff turns out,” Johnson told WolverinesWire. “Ohio State, I have a great relationship with them. I like the stability of the program and the development — all those things, so that’s big. And USC: I love Donte Williams, he’s a great cornerbacks coach. And I got to talk to him a lot.

“So those three are pretty big right now. I’m just trying to feel it out, see how I feel about it.”

Back to Domani Jackson, who’s committing on Jan. 23, all indications are that he’ll end up at USC. Could Johnson — who attended the National College Evaluation Camp Series, in association with SoundMind SoundBody, on Monday morning — find himself joining him in Southern California?

Johnson arrived in Wixom clad in a Trojans hoodie and USC shoes, but he acknowledges that it’s because he made a recent visit. He would like to play alongside Jackson, and his choice will certainly play a role. But like most package deals, it’s nowhere close to being a sure thing.

“It impacts it pretty, pretty well,” Johnson said. “I know where he’s going and I know that we want to play together. I think for me it’s just what’s a good fit for me. Just getting to know those coaches and the other coaches that have recruited me. I think I’ll just have to see how I feel real soon, man. We do want to play together. I do like the program he’s going to and I do like the coach he’s going to, so that’s big.”

As for Michigan, Johnson has to learn a bit. The Wolverines just hired Mike Macdonald to be the new defensive coordinator and, as mentioned, there’s an expectation that Zordich won’t be retained. Considering he’s established a relationship there as the two talked quite frequently, it changes the dynamic to some degree.

For now, Johnson is interested to learn more about what Macdonald plans to run schematically, but the most important thing is learning who his position coach will be.

“I think it’s great. They’re gonna have a lot of pro experience on the defense,” Johnson said. “For me, it’ll be big knowing who the cornerbacks coach is and who will be coaching me. That’s my next big thing with Michigan.”

Of course, the potential loss of Zordich plays a big role, but it’s not a deal breaker. That said, the sooner that Michigan makes a new hire there who gets into contact with Johnson, the more of an opportunity the Wolverines have to secure the rights to one of the best defensive backs in 2022.

“I think it’s pretty big. I had a great relationship with him for awhile,” Johnson said. “Whoever it is, I have to build a new relationship with them and see how I feel about them and how I feel about their coaching, development, their schemes, their techniques, everything.

“I wouldn’t say it puts them behind, but the hire’s going to be very big in my decision. Whoever they do hire, it’s gonna be big.”