The name alone triggers a specific kind of mental highlight reel. You see a flash of light blue, a #28 jersey, and a 40-yard dash that basically broke the NFL Combine in 2008. But if you’ve been following the recruiting trails or scrolling through the Miami Hurricanes roster lately, you’ve probably run into the name Chris Johnson Jr Miami and wondered the same thing everyone else does.
Is he that Chris Johnson’s son?
Honestly, the answer is a little complicated because of how many Chris Johnsons exist in the football multiverse. If you’re looking for the biological heir to "CJ2K," the 2,000-yard rusher for the Titans, you’re looking at the wrong guy. Chris Johnson Jr., the former Miami Hurricane who recently took his talents to SMU and then hit the portal again for Clemson in early 2026, is a speed demon in his own right, but he isn't the son of the NFL legend.
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The Identity Crisis in Coral Gables
It’s a natural mistake. When a kid from Fort Lauderdale shows up at The U and runs a 10.45 in the 100-meter dash, people assume the DNA is doing the heavy lifting. Chris Johnson Jr Miami definitely has the wheels. He was a four-star track star out of Dillard High School, a place known for producing absolute burners.
But here’s the reality:
- The NFL Legend Chris Johnson: He’s from Orlando, played for East Carolina, and has twin sons who are still making their way through the younger ranks.
- The Miami/SMU RB Chris Johnson Jr.: He's a South Florida native. His father is Chris Johnson Sr., but a different one.
- The Arizona State DB Chris Johnson II: Now, this is where it gets messy. There is a defensive back at Arizona State who actually is the son of an NFL veteran named Chris Johnson (the former cornerback).
Basically, if you’re confused, you’re in good company. Even the recruiting sites occasionally trip over the legacy tags.
Why the Speed Matters
You can't talk about Chris Johnson Jr Miami without talking about the track. At Dillard, he wasn't just "football fast." He was "state champion" fast. He took gold in Florida’s 3A state meet in both the 100 and 200-meter dashes.
When he arrived at Miami, the hype was real. Fans expected a gadget player who could take any screen pass to the house. During his true freshman year in 2023, we saw glimpses. He put up 73 yards on just 11 carries. His debut against Bethune-Cookman showed that 10.4 speed translates to the grass pretty well.
But the backfield in Miami got crowded. Fast.
The Transfer and the "Need for Speed"
After a redshirt freshman season where he contributed mostly on special teams and as a depth piece, Johnson moved to SMU to play for Rhett Lashlee. It made sense. Lashlee loves speed, and SMU’s offense is designed to get guys like Johnson into open space.
During the 2025 season at SMU, he finally started to look like the player everyone expected. He averaged over 7 yards per carry. He even broke off an 87-yard touchdown against Louisville that reminded everyone why he was such a highly-touted recruit.
| Season | Team | Carries | Yards | AVG | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Miami | 11 | 73 | 6.6 | 1 |
| 2024 | Miami | 6 | 31 | 5.1 | 0 |
| 2025 | SMU | 67 | 479 | 7.1 | 4 |
What He Brings to Clemson in 2026
As of January 2026, the latest chapter for Chris Johnson Jr Miami involves a move to Clemson. Dabo Swinney isn't usually a "transfer portal guy," but when you have a back who can hit 21.9 mph on a GPS tracker, you make an exception.
Clemson needs that vertical threat from the backfield. Johnson isn't a "bell cow" back. He’s not going to carry it 25 times between the tackles. He’s a home-run hitter. If the offensive line can give him a crease, he’s gone.
The Takeaway for Fans
The confusion about his lineage will probably never fully go away. That’s just the tax you pay for having a common name and uncommon speed. But Chris Johnson Jr Miami is carving out a name that stands on its own merit, regardless of who his dad is.
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If you're tracking his career, keep an eye on how Clemson uses him in the return game. His vision has improved since his high school days, but his greatest asset is still that raw, unadulterated South Florida speed.
Next Steps for Following the Career of Chris Johnson Jr:
- Watch the 2026 Clemson Spring Game: This will be the first real look at how he fits into Garrett Riley's offensive scheme.
- Check the Track Times: Even in college, these dual-sport athletes often run open events. If he's still clocking sub-10.5, he's a threat to score every time he touches the ball.
- Monitor the Portal Trends: His journey from Miami to SMU to Clemson is a perfect case study in how modern players use the portal to find the right schematic fit.
Keep your eyes on the jersey number, not just the name on the back. Whether he's in orange and green or Clemson orange, the kid is a blur.