Chris Johnson Jr. brings something to the Clemson backfield that, at times, has been missing in recent seasons. Legit speed.

However, as he continues to develop, he has more than just elite speed to offer to the running backs room.

Make no mistake, Johnson has been viewed as one of the fastest players in college football, but when strength coach Dennis Love noted during Clemson’s annual media day that he timed the transfer running back at 4.24 in the 40-yard dash this summer, many were taken aback.

That’s not just elite speed, it’s basically unheard-of speed.

“Johnson was already a fast guy when I got here,” Love said. “I think we got him at a 4.38 when he first got here. Now he’s at a 4.24. So now, with that new speed, we gotta teach him how to control it. But Johnson had really bought into the program, whether that’s doing what he needs to do inside the session or doing extra outside the session.”

After Johnson’s arrival on campus earlier this year, head coach Dabo Swinney challenged the speedster to be “serious about being great.” Johnson embraced that challenge with open arms and has impressed this offseason, getting his weight up to 190 pounds, according to the Clemson website.

But as the coaching staff has witnessed throughout the spring and summer, the added weight has not impacted his speed. In fact, his times suggest he’s even faster now. And it’s also helping him to become a more complete back.

“His speed speaks for itself,” running backs coach C.J. Spiller said. “He is a legit 4.2 type of player.

“He’s legit, hold your breath, if you miss him, it could be a touchdown. That’s just what he brings to the table. I think that’s his comfort.”

Coming out of high school, Johnson was a four-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class. After spending his first two years at Miami, he transferred to SMU, where he spent last season. He had more than 600 rushing and receiving yards combined with the Mustangs in 2025. When SMU traveled to Death Valley last November, Johnson had six carries for 59 yards with one touchdown in the 35-24 win.

Along with second-year back Gideon Davidson, Johnson’s addition to the backfield gives Clemson one of the better rushing duos in the ACC. Add in David Eziomume and Jay Haynes, if healthy, and the Tigers certainly have multiple options. Jarvis Green is also back for his fourth season and should be healthy after missing all of last year with an injury.

While Davidson and Eziomume were both track stars in high school, Johnson possesses the type of speed no other running back on the team has.

But pigeonholing Johnson as just a speedster might be a mistake. Spiller insists he’s growing into a player capable of adding much more than speed to the running back room.

“He’s a tougher runner than what people think, just probably because of his body frame,” Spiller said. “But he had some tough runs this spring. He’s a complete player. Obviously, there are some things that he’s got to continue to grow at, which all of them have to do, but I’m pleased with where they’re at.”