Dabo Swinney challenges transfer Chris Johnson Jr. to reach full potential

When Clemson transfer running back Chris “CJ” Johnson Jr. met the media for the first time Friday during spring practice, he cleared up a misconception that has followed him since the start of his college career.

No, he is not the son of former NFL running back Chris Johnson.

The confusion has persisted online — even appearing in some internet searches — linking the Clemson newcomer to the former Tennessee Titans star who held the NFL Combine’s fastest 40-yard dash time (4.24 seconds) from 2008 until 2017.

Johnson said he’s been answering the same question for years.

“Ever since I got into college, I've been getting that same question,” Johnson said. “People ask me that, very often. So it gets aggravating, but I feel like a lot of people know that's not my dad now, so hopefully everybody can see from this that's not my dad.”

And as for the internet continuing to say otherwise?

“Somebody on Google need to take that down,” he added.

Johnson’s football lineage actually runs through his own family tree. He is the son of former Oregon State wide receiver Christopher Johnson Sr., who played for the Beavers from 2006 to 2008, and the nephew of former Clemson receiver Kendrick Johnson (2006-07). 

The other connection to the former NFL All-Pro? Both are Florida natives known for elite speed.

A former two-sport athlete at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, FL, his personal bests of 10.25 seconds in the 100 meters and 20.40 seconds in the 200 meters are actually faster than the track marks (10.38, 21.30) by the retired NFL star. 

Speed already showing up at Clemson

Head coach Dabo Swinney has already seen flashes of that speed.

“He's as advertised,” Swinney said. “He's what we thought he'd be. He's really fast.”

Johnson arrives at Clemson after stops at Miami and SMU. The redshirt junior totaled 178 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns during his two seasons with the Hurricanes before breaking out last year with 659 total yards and five touchdowns for the Mustangs. 

Swinney and the Tigers saw Johnson’s explosiveness firsthand during SMU’s 35-24 win over Clemson last season. Johnson rushed six times for 59 yards and a touchdown while adding 40 receiving yards on four catches.

His big-play ability showed up throughout the season, including an 87-yard touchdown run against Stanford and a career-high 128 rushing yards against California. 

A blunt message from Swinney

Still, when Johnson visited Clemson during the recruiting process, Swinney challenged him directly.

“When I first met him, I told him, ‘You don't look like a guy that's serious about college. I'm just being honest with you,’” Swinney said. “‘You don't look like a guy that's been in college a couple years. You look like a guy that ain't been serious about being great,’ because he didn't look like he'd been in a weight program, or had been taking nutrition.”

Johnson described the moment during his official visit as a “heart-to-heart” conversation that stuck with him.

“I take it as motivation,” Johnson said. “I know what I got to do and what I got ahead of me. So he didn't say anything wrong. I got to buy in and do what I need to do to get to where I need to be.”

Building his body

When Johnson arrived on campus, he weighed under 180 pounds. Since joining Clemson’s strength program, he has already added size and now weighs about 187 pounds with a goal of reaching roughly 195.

“Just in the weight room with Coach D [Dennis] Love and nutrition,” Johnson said, explaining the process and additional weight. “Just eating. Just doing what I need to do with my body and taking care of myself. My body is an investment. So that's what my biggest thing is coming to this year.”

Swinney believes Johnson’s development off the field could unlock even more of the explosive ability already visible in his game.

“He's just a kid that holistically, if he really buys in, it's just going to accentuate all the gifts that he's got,” Swinney said.

Encouraging early returns

Through the early portion of spring practice, Swinney says Johnson has taken steps in the right direction.

“I've been very encouraged with him,” Swinney noted. “He's explosive, great ball skills. He's a guy that we can use in a lot of ways. But he's really bought in. I think he realizes that for him to be the best version of himself, he's got to holistically become the best version of himself. Can't just be a fast guy. And so I've been really pleased with him.”

Johnson enters a competitive running back room as he pushes for playing time. He will likely compete with sophomore Gideon Davidson, who finished second on the team with 260 rushing yards in 2025, and redshirt sophomore Jay Haynes, who missed last season after suffering a knee injury in 2024.