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How Dabo Swinney criticism is motivating transfer Chris Johnson Jr at Clemson
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- How Dabo Swinney criticism is motivating transfer Chris Johnson Jr at Clemson
CLEMSON — When Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney met SMU transfer running back Chris Johnson Jr. for the first time, the Tigers coach was disappointed.
"When I first met him, I told him, 'You don't look like a guy that's serious about college,'" Swinney said March 4. "'I'm just being honest with you. You don't look like a guy that's been in college a couple of years. You look like a guy that ain't been serious about being great.'"
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Swinney said Johnson didn't look like he was a fourth-year college player who has been in a weight and nutrition program.
Swinney's comments didn't discourage Johnson, though. The Florida native transferred to Clemson on Jan. 11, joining nine other portal players , and embraced his coach's challenge.
"I take it as motivation. I know what I got to do and what I got ahead of me," Johnson said March 6. "He didn't say nothing wrong. I gotta buy in and do what I need to do to get where I need to be."
Johnson said he arrived at Clemson under 180 pounds but is at 187 after the team's sixth spring practice. His goal is to be at 190-195 pounds coming into the season.
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Clemson's Paw Bistro has helped with weight goal, where he enjoys a "big variety" including pasta and wings. Johnson said the key is consistency with his habits to reap the benefits that he wants and Swinney envisions.
"He's just a kid that, holistically, if he really buys in, it's going to accentuate all the gifts he got," Swinney said.
Johnson could be a vital player for Clemson in 2026. After transferring from Miami to SMU in 2025, he rushed for 479 yards and four touchdowns, caught 17 passes for 180 yards and a score and had three kick returns for 58 yards in 12 games with the Mustangs.
MORE: How QB Christopher Vizzina has looked in Clemson spring football practice
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Against Clemson in 2025, he rushed for 59 yards and a touchdown and caught four passes for 40 yards.
Johnson's calling card is his blazing speed that has caught the eye of his teammates and coaches in practice. Still, the former high-school sprinter, who won multiple state titles, believes he is more than just his speed.
"Anything a running back can do, I can do," Johnson said.
Johnson is the most experienced player in Clemson's 2026 running back room that includes Gideon Davidson , David Eziomume, Jay Haynes and Jarvis Green , but he has started only one game in his career. The other Clemson running backs have never made a start, but all have had moments in their careers.
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With no clear-cut No. 1, the Tigers may utilize multiple players based on matchup or who is the hottest.
Is Chris Johnson Jr. related to former NFL star Chris Johnson?
Chris Johnson Jr. is not related to the former NFL star running back named Chris Johnson. The Clemson running back said he often hears people saying that is his dad and called it "aggravating."
"I feel like a lot of people know that's not my dad, so hopefully everyone can see from this that that's not my dad," Chris Johnson Jr. said.
Chris Johnson rushed for 9,651 yards and 55 touchdowns in 10 NFL seasons with the Titans, Jets and Cardinals from 2008-17.
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He was known as "CJ2K" after rushing for 2,006 yards during the 2009 season.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at DCarter@usatodayco.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Chris Johnson Jr. responds to Dabo Swinney criticism at Clemson
