Will Johnson was a national champion with Michigan in 2024 and Cody Simon accomplished the same feat with Ohio State in 2025.
But while that school rivalry remains tied to their past, their present reality is being NFL rookies and teammates on the Arizona Cardinals.
“It’s crazy how I’m the only Michigan guy in this building,” Johnson said Friday on Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo. “There’s staff members that are from Ohio State, players. I mean, it’s crazy but it’s just me versus everybody. It’s always been like that.”
And nearly two months removed from the NFL Draft, the cornerback in Johnson is still motivated by his fall from the first to the second round.
As for Simon, he was a fourth rounder (115th pick) and slots in the inside linebacker room after being a Buckeye team captain in his fifth season in Columbus.
With mandatory minicamp in the books, both now have the chance to take inventory of how they grew and plan to grow in the coming months.
“I think the biggest part is at MIKE linebacker (in the NFL) you’re expected to know a lot of stuff and you’re expected to be able to control the defense and have all the checks ready to go,” Simon said. “I’ve been prepared these last couple years at linebacker in college, so that was a big jump.”
For Johnson, learning the defensive playbook has been the biggest aspect of pro football he’s had to adjust to.
“The terminology is a little different,” Johnson said. “It’s a lot more specific to where it could be the same call but (has) different wording in the way we call it.”
When asked if he will listen to a play-call from an Ohio State guy in Simon, Johnson didn’t hesitate in his response.
“Yeah, man, we’re teammates,” Johnson said. “So, I’m all on board with him.”
Will Johnson being a Wolverine wasn’t a sure thing
The 6-foot-2 defensive back from Detroit, Michigan almost didn’t wear blue and yellow.
In fact, he said he was “silently committed” to the arch-rival school.
RELATED STORIES
Cardinals fostering elite chemistry, vibes in 2025
Cardinals' revamped defense settling in as minicamp rolls on
Cardinals' revamped defense settling in as minicamp rolls on
“There was a moment where I was silently committed to Ohio State in my recruitment before we made coaching changes at Michigan,” Johnson said. “I wasn’t really a fan of that Don Brown era (2016-2020) of defense. … But they kept taking corners over there.”
And not only did his decision to be a Wolverine reap a College Football Playoff title, but it resulted in a Michigan-themed tattoo that took “a few hours” to complete on his right arm.
“I said if we won a national championship, I would do it,” Johnson said. “It’s got the roses for the Rose Bowl, a portrait of my dad playing there, national championship at the block end, which means a lot to me and my family.”
Simon, as a Jersey City kid on the other hand, said he took “a big leap of faith” in picking the Buckeyes and it helped that there were guys from his hometown already embedded in the program.
Of Javontae Jean-Baptiste (2018-2022), who currently plays for defensive end for the Washington Commanders and Jordan Fuller (2016-19), a safety recently picked up by the Atlanta Falcons, Simon said Fuller and him “really connected.”
“He kind of helped me out with a little bit of transition even though he had already left,” Simon said. “He was a great resource for me and I think I want(ed) to make a decision that I felt was the best for my future, and it really worked out.”
What Cardinals veterans are taking Will Johnson, Cody Simon under their wings?
Besides the 38-year-old defensive end Calais Campbell who Johnson simply described as “huge,” the two rookies have latched onto some other Arizona veterans.
Johnson, who was rated the third-best corner based on NFL’s Next Gen Stats, didn’t have one particular name in mind but instead said “all the corners” have been welcoming.
Simon, however, did have a name top of mind. The man — now his teammate — who announced his draft selection.
“I’d say first and foremost Mack (Wilson Sr.),” Simon said of the seventh-year inside linebacker. “Right after (he announced my pick) he reached right out to me and he’s been a really good vocal person. … He’s just trying to help me get better. That’s all I can really ask for because we’re all just trying to get better at the end of the day.”
Simon joked Friday on Arizona Sports’ Cardinals Corner that he won’t be featured on the vocal Wilson’s next song — whose “18 Bars” helped unveil Arizona’s 2025 game schedule — because he doesn’t “got bars like he does.”
Arizona heat something to get used to ahead of July camp
“I’ll be inside for that,” Simon said when asked if he’s ready for 110-plus-degree weather in the Valley.
But, in all seriousness, Simon and Johnson will be revving up for the Cardinals’ season in late July with practices at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.
Follow @pwmoses11
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Cardinals rookies Will Johnson, Cody Simon go from bitter rivals to teammates )
Also on site :
- UK’s biggest energy supplier is paying customers to use less electricity again from this week
- Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney tracking EFL cult hero’s contract situation with Sheffield Wednesday in dire straits
- A salute to F1's most gifted rebel