Chris Johnson Jr.
Chris Johnson Jr.
Wins in space out of the backfield. Two head coaches in three seasons, at two different programs. One game to point at: 128 rush yds, 3 rec yds against California — Week 14, 2025.
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- positional archetype classification
- head-coach lineage
- game log
Career Arc
Coaching Lineage · 2023–2025
1 coachPlayed his entire career under Rhett Lashlee.
2025 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
Splits & context
Supporting Cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Rhett Lashlee
Career stats
Signature game
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 10 · 2025
W 26–20
vs Miami
2 rush yds (4 car)
A wire-to-wire battle — won by 6 at home.
How he plays
Play style
Deployed as a receiver as much as a runner. Value is in space, not between the tackles.
CFB Index positional classification
2026 Outlook
SMU
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Running back · SMU
Returning around him
- 50% of 2024 offensive production back (Solid continuity)
- 1 SMU player drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: -10 net (15 in / 25 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
SMU · Last season: 9-4 (AP #25) · Talent rank #25 · 2026 recruiting class #32
DNA match
Player DNA
Satellite Back
Deployed as a receiver as much as a runner. Value is in space, not between the tackles.
His 2025 production profile sits closest to James Cook’s 2021 season.
Matches James on
Differs from James on
Not enough data yet for this comparison.
As a junior, his production profile tracks closest to Jai'Den Thomas's junior season at UNLV (2025).
Matches Jai'Den on
Differs from Jai'Den on
Heisman trajectory
Heisman Trajectory · 2025
Peak #178
Peaked at #178 this season.
Development
Development Trajectory · rushing yards
2023–2025+556%
Up 556% from first season to most-recent.