Social Media Erupts Over Former Illini Morez Johnson Jr. Heading to Michigan

After shocking Illinois fans by entering the transfer portal on Friday afternoon, freshman forward Morez Johnson Jr. outdid himself on Tuesday when he announced his final destination.

By deciding on Michigan as his landing spot, Johnson has unofficially become public enemy No. 1 of Illini Nation.

NEWS: Illinois transfer forward Morez Johnson has committed to Michigan, he tells @On3sports.

The 6-9 freshman averaged 7.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. https://t.co/lTSeODUFPI pic.twitter.com/tGluYDXtRH
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 1, 2025

Meanwhile, Wolverines fans were (understandably) over the moon about landing one of the portal’s top available players, adding a potential star with three years of eligibility remaining and draining a chief Big Ten rival of a fantastic in-state talent.

Averaging 7.0 points and 6.7 rebounds in just 17.6 minutes per game, Johnson was one of the best board men in the country and a top-tier defensive presence in the paint (1.1 blocks per game).

In the wake of Johnson's decision and the loss of a player who committed to the program nearly three years prior to his enrollment, many Illini fans felt betrayed. His choice of continuing his career in Ann Arbor only added extra sting to the news.

Illinois' nine-game winning streak over Michigan undoubtedly feels a little less satisfying after – and is very much threatened by – Johnson's transfer.

As you might have guessed, social media had a little something to say about the development. Below are some of the choicest cuts from X on Johnson's Illinois-to-MIchigan move.

Of all the places ...

#illini

My reaction to Morez Johnson to Michigan pic.twitter.com/XfraFXcbcp
— Carson Gourdie (@GourdieReport) April 2, 2025

#VillainArc

If you would have told me a year ago Morez Johnson would go the villain route I would have laughed in your face. No way. Not a guy from Illinois that has been all about Illinois, got huge minutes as a freshman, huge opportunities as a freshman, etc.

Insanity. https://t.co/WlRvfuQXRW
— Fighting Illini (@TheIlliniFN) April 1, 2025

And the flip side

LETS GOOO

WELCOME MOREZ

DUSTY IS COOKIN 〽️ https://t.co/LnN1L2opya
— Will Johnson Enjoyer (@WillJEnjoyer) April 1, 2025

Michigan fans loving it

Morez Johnson Jr (@morezjohnsonJr) is bound to be a fan favorite this season for #Michigan.

High energy, High motor, one of the most physical and arguably best rebounders in the Big Ten. An absolute win for May and his staff. https://t.co/txwXATCErO
— Davis Moseley (@DavisMoseley) April 2, 2025

If you thought you'd seen the last of him ...

Morez Johnson next year playing against an Underwood offense https://t.co/OEDARm01l3 pic.twitter.com/Mi2Tw932Kp
— Armchair Illinois (@ArmchairIllini) April 1, 2025

Michigan lost ... but won?

Lose Tre Donaldson and get Morez Johnson in the same day… was this a net positive or net negative day for Michigan? https://t.co/nDWinoMXUp
— Casual Big Ten (@casualbigten) April 1, 2025

The Buckeyes have entered the chat ... and they ain't happy

Illinois transfer Morez Johnson has committed to that team up north. https://t.co/vnZNSsjkmp
— The Ohio State Hoops Insider (@OSUHoopsInsider) April 1, 2025

Never would've happened in my old Big Ten!

Three Big Ten transfers within the conference so far:

Morez Johnson - Illinois to Michigan
Gabe Cupps - Indiana to Ohio State
Lathan Sommerville - Rutgers to Washington
— Inside the Hall (@insidethehall) April 1, 2025

Ty Rodgers saves the day

Ty Rodgers announces he's staying at Illinois after Morez Johnson commits to Michigan.

Ty is about to become an #Illini legend for this
— JF (@JF_Fey) April 2, 2025

Ty Rodgers vs. Morez Johnson Jr. = peak cinema

Ty Rodgers is going to put Morez Johnson in jail with Damonte Williams handcuffs #illini pic.twitter.com/0EHTxmJRQD
— Andrew Fulk (@fulknA) April 2, 2025