Miami locked in longtime running back target Christopher Johnson after an official weekend visit.
The Hurricanes have been at the forefront of recruiting Fort Lauderdale Dillard product since the spring and summer months, when the under-the-radar running back pulled away from an early Rutgers engagement after snatching a blazing 10.45 100 yards to win the Florida State 3A title.
Programs like Georgia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Oregon, Michigan, Texas A&M, Penn State, Clemson, South Carolina, Florida and Alabama all called the county-based speedster Broward, who made the move to play for the hometown Hurricanes on Sunday.
“I feel like Miami is the best decision for me because I want to dress for the crib,” Johnson told InsideTheU shortly before going public with his decision. “There’s no better way than to stay home and get the crib back. I feel like Miami is the best place for me to make an impact and help them.”
No one got the 5-foot-11, 178-pounder on campus more than Miami with a few camp visits over the summer and peppered with unofficial visits over the fall. Johnson also traveled to Hard Rock Stadium for Miami’s first two games of the season.
In the end, it was about Ole Miss and Miami. The rebels gained momentum in the second half of autumn after spending a weekend in Oxford for an official visit. Some thought Johnson might end up at the SEC.
But Kevin Smith passed his former employer to land one of the top brakes on the program board, adding elite speed that no one on the current roster possesses.
“Coach Smith came to sign me in the spring and we’ve been tight ever since,” Johnson said of his future running backs coach. “He just kept his word. I wasn’t really going to go to Miami but Coach Smith came in and he did it and things clicked.”
Johnson could also factor into the return game for Miami given how dangerous he could be in the open field once he hits his top gear. His goal is to help Miami lift trophies at the end of the season.
“I’m going to try to bring this team a national championship, so I’m bringing everything I have with me,” Johnson said.
The commitment gives Miami 23 commitments in their class of 2023, moving the program past Oklahoma and into 7th place in the 247Sports team rankings.
247Sports scouting report
“One of the fastest prospects in the class of 2023. Won gold as a junior at Florida 3A track and field meet in 100 and 200 meters. Also anchored a 4×100 team that won first place in the United States as a sophomore. Was used as a gimmick player at the prep level, getting snaps mostly at running back, but also a wide receiver in a spread attack. A bit of a one shot ball carrier type with obvious home run ability given the speed of the foot. Does a good job of getting out of trouble in the backfield and has a knack for missing the first fielder, at least on Friday nights. Vision is something of a strength because he understands how to find daylight quickly. When it comes to catching passes, he has shown he can track the ball over his shoulder and create separation into deeper lanes with his extra gear. Also has valuable experience in screen gaming. However, he needs to add functional strength/body armor over the next few years as the contact balance needs to be improved, especially if he is to be successful between tackles at the Power Five level. Not one that offers much value in pass protection either. All in all, should be considered a potential Saturday weapon for offensive coordinators to get creative with. Could thrive in a variety of different systems, but likely to be at his best when he gets the ball into space. The profile also suggests he might be able to transition into defense if things didn’t work out at running back.
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