After it was revealed last week that Miami running back Chris Johnson would be entering the transfer portal, ESPN College Football analyst Louis Riddick posted to X "Wherever he lands...USE HIM. He is a game-break !!!" Johnson was the fifth RB in the Miami rotation during the 2024 season.
Johnson had 17 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown, nine receptions for 74 yards and two scores and 19 kickoff returns for 274 yards in two seasons with Miami. After playing in four games and redshirting in 2023, Johnson played in all 12 Miami regular season games during the 2024 season.
Johnson had six carries for 31 yards, eight receptions for 72 yards and two TDs in 2024. Damian Martinez, Mark Fletcher, true freshman Jordan Lyle and Ajay Allen were ahead of Johnson on the 2024 Miami depth chart at RB. Johnson has proved to be a good receiver and has elite speed.
Johnson won the 100 and 200-meter state titles in Florida as a high school junior. Fletcher and Lyle will be the primary RBs for Miami in 2025. Chris Wheatley-Humphrey returns after redshirting in 2024. Miami signed Girard Pringle Jr. in the 2025 class. Miami likely needs to add a transfer RB for depth.
Wherever he lands…USE HIM. He is a game-breaker !!! https://t.co/kHjAcOngim
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) December 6, 2024
Johnson showed his skill versus Ball State this season with a 37-yard TD reception. Johnson made the reception near the sideline and raced past the Ball State defense to the end zone. There could have been multiple ways for offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson to use Johnson.
Johnson seems likely an ideal third-down RB in passing situations as a receiver. Martinez had 16 receptions for 198 yards as a key outlet receiver for Cam Ward in 2024. Fletcher and Lyle combined for 12 receptions for 120 yards in 2024, Miami needs Fletcher and Lyle to improve their production as receivers in 2025.