After a challenging spring, Chris Johnson Jr. took it upon himself to have a great summer. The former SMU and Miami running back transferred over to Clemson with one thing in mind: To get the most out of his talents. While he is incredibly shifty in the backfield, he needed to become a bigger presence in pass protection. Over the last few weeks, Johnson has done enough to earn Dabo Swinney's trust.
"CJ is not as big as the other guys, but he's as tough as anybody we've got," Swinney said. "That kid's got no fear. I mean, he'll stick his face mask in there. He's gotta protect. Ain't gonna make a living in pass protection, but he can get it done when he needs to."
Johnson will likely serve as the change-of-pace back in Clemson's offense behind sophomore star Gideon Davidson. Even though Davidson has emerged as the frontrunner to be the Tigers' lead back, Chad Morris will have a role in mind for Johnson. The plan is to move him around in the backfield to get him into space to make plays. Of course, he has to be somewhat competent in pass protection.
Clemson can't afford to be one-dimensional on offense whenever Johnson takes the field.
Chris Johnson Jr.'s improved pass protection is the key to everything
When Clemson brought Johnson in from the transfer portal, Swinney, Morris, and the rest of the offensive staff clearly saw something in him. After all, he had been playing for ACC rivals the last three seasons. While he does have 837 all-purpose yards for eight touchdowns on 110 touches, Johnson has never had more than 85 touches in a season for a reason. Pass protection has been an issue.
The big key here is that even if his 6-0, 190-pound frame does not afford him a ton of wins stopping full-grown front-seven players coming full-steam ahead, it is about being more than just a turnstile. Being able to pass protect is what affords players opportunities to have staying power in the NFL, and increasingly across major college football. Johnson can run and catch, but he needs to block better.
Fortunately for him, Johnson has bought into everything Swinney has been saying. He took his head coach's criticism of him to heart, allowing him to be in a position for his best college football season to date. This is a prime example of the type of internal growth talented players like Johnson need to embrace in order to go from good to great. Clemson needs more great players, and he could be one.
Right now, Clemson will only go as far offensively as the running game will take the Tigers. So much has been made about the quarterback battle between Christopher Vizzina and Tait Reynolds already. However, both are inexperienced and may need a more well-rounded supporting cast around them on offense to truly take flight. The receiving corps is strong, as is the offensive line, but is it enough?
Johnson's growth and maturity is blossoming right in front of us, and it is a beautiful thing to see.
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