Clemson made a lot of moves in the transfer portal addressing the defense this offseason, but there wasn’t much added on the offensive side of the ball. However, the Tigers’ big transfer addition on offense is an impact player – SMU transfer running back Chris Johnson Jr.

ESPN recently identified the “most important newcomer” for each ACC football team, selecting newcomers who “could contribute right away” and projecting which ones “could have the biggest impact” in 2026.

For Clemson, ESPN pegged Johnson as the Tigers’ top newcomer — and explained why he’s the choice.

“Clemson has searched for a consistent ground game for two seasons,” ESPN wrote. “Converted wideout Adam Randall is off to the NFL, and while promising sophomore Gideon Davidson flashed in a limited role in 2025, Clemson lacks a proven lead back or big-play threat. The Tigers haven’t had a true game-breaking all-purpose back since Travis Etienne Jr. The quarterback run game hasn’t bailed them out either. Cade Klubnik averaged just 1.1 yards per carry (including sacks) last fall, and likely 2026 starter Christopher Vizzina has minimal experience. New coordinator Chad Morris needs someone who can turn ordinary runs and short passes into explosives. That’s Johnson.”

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.

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.

Morris says Johnson can be a versatile guy the Tigers could move around the field and get the ball in his hands different ways, similar to how Miami uses wide receiver Malachi Toney, who earned 2025 ACC Rookie of the Year honors and was a first-team All-ACC selection this past season.

ESPN weighed in on “what to expect” this season from Johnson — one of the fastest backs in the country, if not the fastest.

“Morris is going to feed Johnson in every way he can,” ESPN wrote. “He’s one of the fastest, most dynamic backs in college football — an all-purpose weapon in the mold of C.J. Spiller. Johnson averaged 7.1 yards per carry and 10.6 yards per reception last fall at SMU, and his ability to create chunk plays both on the ground and through the air fills a glaring need in Clemson’s offense. Expect him to line up all over the formation, get featured on screens, swings and perimeter touches, and quickly become a security blanket for a young quarterback. This was a significant portal loss for SMU and a potential two-year feature back for Clemson.”