It seems as if it weren’t for new Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris, the Tigers might not have landed speedy running back Chris Johnson Jr. from the transfer portal this offseason.

Johnson’s conversations with Morris evidently played a significant part in his decision to transfer to Clemson, as Johnson says he initially “really didn’t have plans on coming” to Tigertown. However, a call from Morris changed that around.

“Actually, Coach Morris called me. Because I really didn’t have plans on coming here,” Johnson said following Clemson’s spring practice Friday.

“But he called me at the last minute, and we had a long conversation. And I just felt that I gave him a chance, and he gave me a chance to come here, and I really appreciate him for that.”

That call, in addition to some motivation from head coach Dabo Swinney, helped the Tigers bring Johnson in.

Swinney is using a little tough love to motivate Johnson ahead of the 2026 season. Swinney says that when he first met Johnson, he told the speedster that he “ain’t been serious about being great.”

Swinney noted that despite three years in college football, Johnson did not look as physically mature as he should be, and he told Johnson he can’t just be a “fast guy” for the Tigers — pushing him to develop a more well-rounded skill set.

Swinney believes Johnson has now “bought in” and accepted the challenge from Swinney to be the best version of himself.

“When I first met him, I told him, I said, ‘You don’t look like a guy that’s serious about college. I’m just being honest with you – you don’t look like a guy that’s been in college [three] 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… I know he’s been in one, but he hasn’t been taking advantage… And he really accepted that challenge,” Swinney said following Wednesday’s practice.

“I think he’s put on 10 pounds since he’s been here. So he’s just a kid that wholistically, if he really buys in, it’s just going to accentuate all the gifts that he’s got. So, I’ve been very encouraged with him. He’s what we thought he’d be. He’s explosive, he’s fast, 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 wholistically become the best version of himself. He can’t just be a fast guy. So, I’ve been really pleased with him.”

Johnson recalled how his conversations with Swinney made Clemson a place where he wanted to come.

“I sat down with Coach Swinney when I came here on my [official visit], and he just gave me a heart-to-heart conversation… just buying into the program and just getting to where I want to be,” Johnson said. “Coach Swinney knows what I’m capable of and he knows what I bring to the table — he just wants to see me at my best.”

Johnson is one of the fastest backs in the country, if not the fastest.

A former four-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, Johnson lettered at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he was also one of the state’s premier sprinters. He won Florida’s 3A state title in the 100-meter dash (10.45) and 200-meter dash (20.78) as a junior and anchored a 4×100 team that captured gold during his sophomore year.

Johnson spent his first three college seasons in the ACC, playing 16 games at Miami from 2023-24 and then 12 at SMU in 2025. The 6-foot, 185-pounder rushed 84 times for 583 yards with five touchdowns, caught 26 passes for 254 yards with three touchdowns, and returned 22 kickoffs for 522 yards across those three seasons.

In 2025, Johnson finished third on SMU in rushing attempts (67) and second in rushing yards (479) and rushing touchdowns (four), while adding 17 catches for 180 yards with a receiving touchdown. In SMU’s 35-24 win at Clemson on Oct. 18, he rushed six times for 59 yards and a touchdown while catching four passes for 40 yards.

Johnson says the environment of playing in Death Valley played a role in his decision to come to Clemson as well.

“Definitely. I love the environment,” he said. “Like I said, I went to a different university, so I never really got a chance to experience what playing in the Valley looked like. So definitely coming up for this year, it’s definitely a big thing for me, playing and making plays in the Valley.”