After ‘big transition,’ can running back Chris Johnson Jr. carve out role in Hurricanes’ offense?
Running back Chris Johnson Jr. made no excuses about how his first season with the Miami Hurricanes unfolded. After starring at the high school level for Fort Lauderdale Dillard, Johnson found himself facing a whole new level of competition just to get playing time. He didn’t arrive on campus until the fall, dealt with an injury during camp and had trouble getting his weight where it needed to be.
At points, it got the better of him and his spot on the depth chart reflected as much.
“I just wasn’t ready last year,” said Johnson, who ran for 73 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries in four games en route to a redshirt season. “It was a big transition.”
Now comes the next transition: Carving out a role in Miami’s deep running back room as he prepares for Year 2.
Johnson has gotten off to a strong start, with coach Mario Cristobal saying he was one of the top performers during spring practices. That confidence has appeared to carry over through the summer and into fall camp as he continues working to gain the trust of Cristobal, offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson and running backs coach Matt Merritt.
“It was like a new beginning for me,” Johnson said. “I had to relearn everything. Plus everybody was just more ready than I was — weight wise, knowing the pass protection. They just had an upper hand on me [last season] because I came in so late. That’s not an excuse. Everybody works. I never talked down about it. I always encouraged them because I learned from them also. It’s a big jump from last year to this year. I’m really excited about what I’ve accomplished throughout this past year.”
The expectation is that junior Damien Martinez, who transferred in from Oregon State, will get the bulk of the team’s carries. Sophomore Mark Fletcher, if healthy as he recovers from a Lisfranc injury, should be next in line. Martinez and Fletcher have similar styles, primarily bruising, hard-hitters who also have an element of speed to their game.
Johnson, 6-0 and 180 pounds, is a pure speedster. He dominated on the track in high school in addition to the gridiron, and his ability to be a change-of-pace back would complement the Martinez’s and Fletcher’s styles.
But Johnson also has to compete with the likes of redshirt sophomore Ajay Allen along with true freshmen Jordan Lyle and Chris Wheatley-Humphrey for carries.
That’s fine with Johnson, who is embracing the challenge. The fact that he was friends with most of the running backs before enrolling at Miami — Johnson, Fletcher (American Heritage), Lyle (St. Thomas Aquinas) and Wheatley-Humphrey (South Broward) all played high school ball in Broward County — helps with the group pushing each other each day at practice.
“So much talent,” Johnson said. “It’s probably the most talented room we’ve ever had. I know all these guys. A lot of locals. I’m ready to work with these guys. We’ve got a lot of competition.”
As for how Johnson is handling that competition...
“I’m just maintaining and working,” Johnson said. “I’m keeping my head down, not listening to the outside noise.”
.JPG)