In the high-stakes game of transfer portal recruiting, sometimes the difference between a commitment and a missed opportunity is a single, last-minute phone call.
For Clemson, that call came from new offensive coordinator Chad Morris.
Chris Johnson Jr., the elite track-star running back who spent last season torching defenses at SMU, admitted Friday that Clemson wasn't even on his radar when he entered the portal this offseason.
"Actually, Coach Morris called me. Because I really didn’t have plans on coming here," Johnson said following Clemson’s spring practice. "But he called me at the last minute, and we had a long conversation. I just felt that I gave him a chance, and he gave me a chance to come here."
That mutual leap of faith has quickly turned into one of the most intriguing storylines of the Tigers’ spring camp.
The 'Tough Love' Treatment
While Morris provided the vision, head coach Dabo Swinney provided the wake-up call. Swinney, never one to mince words, revealed that his initial meeting with Johnson was defined by "tough love."
Swinney challenged the South Florida native, telling him bluntly that despite three years in college programs (two at Miami, one at SMU), he didn't look "serious" about being great. To Swinney, Johnson’s 6-foot, 185-pound frame looked more like a track athlete than a collegiate bell-cow.
"I told him, ‘You don’t look like a guy that’s serious about college... You look like a guy that ain’t been serious about being great,’" Swinney recalled. "He didn’t look like he’d been in a weight program — I know he’s been in one, but he hasn’t been taking advantage."
The critique could have soured the relationship; instead, it served as a catalyst. Since arriving in January, Johnson has already added 10 pounds of muscle. Swinney noted that the "fast guy" is finally becoming a football player.
A Full-Circle Moment in the Valley
Johnson is no stranger to the turf at Memorial Stadium. In fact, he was a primary reason for Clemson's heartbreak last October. During SMU’s 35-24 upset win over the Tigers, Johnson was a nightmare for the Clemson defense, racking up 99 total yards and a touchdown.
"I never really got a chance to experience what playing in the Valley looked like [as a Tiger]," Johnson said. "So definitely coming up for this year, it’s a big thing for me, playing and making plays in the Valley."
The Speed Merchant
On paper, Johnson is arguably the fastest player to ever suit up in the Dabo Swinney era. A former Florida state champion in the 100-meter (10.45) and 200-meter (20.78) dashes, his "home run" ability is exactly what the Clemson offense lacked during a stagnant 2025 campaign.
With Morris' "fast and physical" philosophy now at the helm, Johnson is expected to be the lightning to the Tigers' thunder.
"He’s what we thought he’d be," Swinney said. "Explosive, fast, great ball skills. He’s a guy that we can use in a lot of ways. But he’s really bought in."
If Johnson hits his ceiling in 2026, the Tigers may look back at Chad Morris' last-minute phone call as the moment the Clemson offense finally found its "top gear" again.