Tag: Hunter Johnson

Swinney asked if he has any signing day surprises in store

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was a guest Tuesday on the Packer and Durham show on ACC Network. Swinney was asked if he and the Tigers have any surprises in store for Wednesday’s National Signing Day. “I mean, we signed our first portal guy,” …

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was a guest Tuesday on the Packer and Durham show on ACC Network.

Swinney was asked if he and the Tigers have any surprises in store for Wednesday’s National Signing Day.

“I mean, we signed our first portal guy,” Swinney said of transfer quarterback Hunter Johnson, who is returning to Clemson — the institution with which he originally signed as a five-star recruit in the class of 2017 — after playing in 12 games for Northwestern across the 2019-21 seasons.

“I don’t know if that’s a surprise. I think that’s news. He’s a boomerang portal guy. He’s coming back where he started, coming right back. So, that’s probably it.”

Heading into Wednesday’s National Signing Day, Clemson has 12 signees that inked with the Tigers in the December early signing period.

Clemson also has five verbal scholarship commitments — defensive backs Myles Oliver and Kylon Griffin, linebacker Kobe McCloud, defensive end Jahiem Lawson and wide receiver Cole Turner — all of whom are expected to sign with the Tigers on Wednesday.

In addition, Clemson is in contention for the signatures of several prospects who will announce their decisions on Wednesday — Montgomery (Ala.) Catholic Prepatory School four-star linebacker T.J. Dudley, Lanett (Ala.) High School four-star defensive tackle Caden Story, Parish Episcopal School (Dallas, Texas) three-star running back Andrew Paul and Pine View High School (Saint George, Utah) three-star running back Keith Adams, Jr.

“I don’t think I’m going to have any surprises,” Swinney said. “We’re going to sign a great class, some really talented players and meet all of our needs that we needed from a depth and talent standpoint. It’s exciting. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Clemson’s 2022 class currently ranks No. 11 nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite team recruiting rankings.

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Streeter has simple expectation for Uiagalelei, other Clemson QBs

Clemson’s quarterbacks are familiar with Brandon Streeter in more ways than one. Streeter had already been on the Tigers’ coaching staff for seven seasons before Dabo Swinney promoted him last month to be the offensive coordinator when Tony Elliott …

Clemson’s quarterbacks are familiar with Brandon Streeter in more ways than one.

Streeter had already been on the Tigers’ coaching staff for seven seasons before Dabo Swinney promoted him last month to be the offensive coordinator when Tony Elliott left to take the head coaching job at Virginia. Streeter has been a recruiting coordinator and passing game coordinator during that time, but his primary job before now has been coaching the Tigers’ signal callers.

As their position coach, a role he’ll continue with in addition to his play-calling duties, nobody works more closely with Clemson’s quarterbacks on a daily basis than Streeter, a quarterback himself during his playing days at Clemson in the late 1990s.

The 2021 season was a rough one for the position, particularly D.J. Uiagalelei, who posted the second-lowest completion percentage among starting ACC quarterbacks and tossed more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (9) in his first season as Trevor Lawrence’s successor. It’s something to monitor as Clemson gets ready for its first on-field preparation for next season this spring.

But Streeter said his expectation is simple for whoever ultimately ends up taking the snaps for the Tigers come the fall.

“It’s really not just to D.J. but to all of them: Just continue to improve,” Streeter said.

In Streeter’s opinion, Uiagalelei did that in the latter part of the season while also fighting through knee and hand injuries. The strong-armed sophomore led a pair of game-winning drives in the fourth quarter against Florida State and Louisville and had one of his better performances in the Tigers’ home finale against Wake Forest, going 11 of 19 passing for 208 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Clemson’s Cheez-It Bowl win over Iowa State provided mixed results for Uiagalelei, who completed 65% of his passes (21 of 32) but didn’t push the ball down the field much (187 yards passing). He was also intercepted once and didn’t throw a touchdown pass.

Uiagalelei’s primary backup, Taisun Phommachanh, has transferred out of the program, but he was more of a running threat than passing. This spring, however, will bring some real competition to the quarterback position with five-star signee Cade Klubnik enrolling early. Clemson has also added more experienced depth with the recent signing of Northwestern transfer Hunter Johnson, who’s back for his second stint with the Tigers.

“We’re going to have a heck of a team coming back, and we’ve got some great guys that we just signed,” Streeter said. “Really excited about those guys coming into the mix.

Former walk-ons Hunter Helms and Billy Wiles round out the quarterback room for next season.

“That’s what spring ball is for,” Streeter said. “Let’s put the pieces of the puzzle out on the table now and, and let’s put it together one practice at a time. Competition is always good. At every position, there’s always going to be competition. It makes them all better.”

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Transfers that could help Clemson next season

With the recent news of quarterback Hunter Johnson returning to Clemson, Dabo Swinney has brought in his first transfer of the portal era. But are the Tigers done with the portal? In the past, Swinney has been consistent with a couple of things when …

With the recent news of quarterback Hunter Johnson returning to Clemson, Dabo Swinney has brought in his first transfer of the portal era. But are the Tigers done with the portal?

In the past, Swinney has been consistent with a couple of things when talking about the possibility of bringing in transfers: They have to be right fit, and they have to be talented enough to contribute immediately if not start. Yet bringing back Johnson, who’s coming from Northwestern after beginning his collegiate career at Clemson, shows Swinney isn’t against adding quality depth through the portal either.

With all of that in mind, The Clemson Insider is taking a look at some of the top available transfers that could help the Tigers next season. And since they would have to be able to contribute from Day 1, we’re limiting these candidates to positions of need.

We aren’t saying Clemson will land any of these players, but they are some of the transfers available that could make an impact next season and fit Swinney’s criteria.

Running back

This isn’t the biggest need for Clemson, but it’s one nonetheless, particularly from a depth standpoint. Will Shipley will go into the spring as the Tigers’ RB1 after leading the team in rushing as a freshman, but after losing three scholarship running backs off last season’s roster, the depth chart behind him is fluid.

Clemson is looking to sign a running back in its 2022 recruiting class and host Andrew Paul this weekend for an official visit.

Dylan McDuffie, Buffalo

This might be a tough ask considering McDuffie was Buffalo’s featured back this past season, but might he want to join a Power Five program and compete with Kobe Pace and Phil Mafah for the No. 2 spot in the backfield?

McDuffie was the Bulls’ leading rusher with 1,052 yards and 11 touchdowns in the fall. That made him the Mid-American Conference’s fourth-leading rusher. He bided his time for his chance, too, spending his first three seasons at Buffalo as a backup before bursting onto the scene.

Perhaps McDuffie wants to be the guy at his next school, too, which likely wouldn’t happen at Clemson. But if he’s OK with being part of the rotation, Clemson could do a lot worse than adding a 1,000-yard rusher to it.

Wide receiver

Similar to running back, this isn’t the most pressing need for the Tigers, but Clemson is looking for a new No. 1 receiver with Justyn Ross moving on (Frank Ladson’s transfer doesn’t help with depth either). Joseph Ngata could be the primary candidate to fill those shoes, but he’s struggled to stay healthy in his three years with the program.

Freshmen Beaux Collins and Dacari Collins came on late in the season, and E.J. Williams is returning, too. Clemson is also bringing in a pair of freshmen wideouts from the current recruiting cycle, but might the Tigers be interested in a more experienced playmaker on the outside?

Jermaine Burton, Georgia

If so, Burton would certainly fit the ball.

Burton, who just entered the portal earlier this week, was Georgia’s second-leading receiver in terms of yards (497) and led the Bulldogs with an average of 19.1 yards per reception. He started 14 of 15 games this season for the eventual national champions.

Making Burton even more enticing is he has three years of eligibility left after signing with Georgia as a four-star prospect out of California in 2020. There’s still plenty of competition in Clemson’s receiver room, but Burton has the talent to push for a starting job wherever he ends up.

Offensive line

If Clemson’s pursuit of linemen in the portal is any indication, this may be the biggest area of need in the eyes of Swinney and his coaching staff.

Clemson has whiffed on its most of its primary targets, including former Virginia center Victor Oluwatimi (Michigan) and former Louisiana guard O’Cyrus Torrence (Florida), but the Tigers are still looking for help along an offensive line that went through eight different starting lineups this past season. With Jordan McFadden and Walker Parks back at tackle, the help the Tigers need is primarily on the interior.

Tyler Guyton, TCU

As TCI previously reported, Clemson has reached out to Guyton, an interesting option for the Tigers considering he’s only played tackle in college.

It’s hard to envision anyone supplanting McFadden or Parks for a starting job at tackle. Perhaps the Tigers want some quality depth behind them. Or maybe the Tigers envision a different role for Guyton all together.

The 6-foot-7, 312-pounder, a redshirt freshman this past season, played nine games over his two seasons at TCU, lining up at H-back at times. Guyton even caught a 6-yard touchdown pass against Iowa State.

Tyler Steen, Vanderbilt

Steen is another tackle who started 36 games over the last three seasons at Vanderbilt, so he’s almost certainly going to want to at least compete for a starting job at his next stop.

Again, good luck to anyone trying to take one of those away from McFadden and Parks. But at 6-5 and 315 pounds, perhaps a move inside would appeal to Steen if it helps his draft stock for the next level. If not, this won’t happen.

Steen would be a graduate transfer if he does indeed decide to leave Vanderbilt.

Linebacker

Clemson is losing 66% of its starting linebackers with James Skalski and Baylon Spector on the way out. Trenton Simpson is still holding down the strong side, and the Tigers have LaVonta Bentley, Barrett Carter, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Keith Maquire among others still around.

But the starting experience is scarce. Bentley is the only one among that group that’s ever started a game, making for what should be some fierce competition in the middle and on the weak side beginning this spring.

Cam Bright, Pittsburgh

Clemson lost a transfer within the ACC (Ladson to Miami). Why not add its own from the league?

OK, that’s not a valid reason to bring in a transfer. As far as fits go, though, there may not be a better one than Bright. A multi-year starter for the Panthers at outside linebacker, Bright has the starting experience Clemson now lacks at that spot. He was also a captain for the Panthers this past season during their run to the ACC title.

Bright, an Alabama native, ended his Pitt career with 182 tackles and 20.5 tackles for loss. The downside is he only has one year of eligibility left, but if he could vastly improve the second level of the defense on what should be another championship-contending team at Clemson next season, wouldn’t it be worth it?

Lorenzo McCaskill, Louisiana

Another player with one year left in college, McCaskill turned into one of the Sun Belt’s most prolific linebackers for Billy Napier’s defense at Louisiana. The second-team all-Sun Belt selection finished this season with 84 tackles after posting 83 stops and two sacks in 2020.

McCaskill finished his four-year career with the Ragin’ Cajuns with 232 tackles and four sacks. He’s got interest from other Power Five schools, including Tennessee and Texas.

Cornerback

Similar to the second level of the defense, Clemson is losing multiple starters on the third level, including both corners. Andrew Booth and Mario Goodrich are leaving some big shoes to fill as the ACC’s top corner tandem this season.

Sheridan Jones is the only returning corner that’s started a game for Clemson. It’s a position where the Tigers could use a plug-and-play type of talent.

Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Oklahoma State

Clemson might be able to find that in Bernard-Converse, who, like Booth and Goodrich, was a first-team all-conference performer this past season.

A four-year starter, Bernard-Converse has been arguably the Big 12’s best corner for the last couple of seasons. He led Oklahoma State in pass breakups (10) for the second straight year and finished his time with the Cowboys with 193 tackles, 23 pass breakups and two interceptions.

And like Booth and Goodrich, he’s used to playing for one of college football’s premier defenses. Oklahoma State finished fourth nationally this season in total defense and ninth in points allowed. It feels like another ideal fit for Clemson’s defense if the Tigers decide to pursue him.

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Clemson officially announces signing of transfer

CLEMSON, S.C. – Head Coach Dabo Swinney and Clemson Football announced this evening that Clemson has signed transfer quarterback Hunter Johnson. The Clemson Insider reported that Johnson was returning to Clemson on January 17. Johnson returns to …

CLEMSON, S.C. — Head Coach Dabo Swinney and Clemson Football announced this evening that Clemson has signed transfer quarterback Hunter Johnson.

The Clemson Insider reported that Johnson was returning to Clemson on January 17.

Johnson returns to Clemson, the institution with which he originally signed as a five-star recruit in the Class of 2017. After appearing in seven games for the Tigers as a true freshman in 2017, he transferred to Northwestern, sitting out the 2018 before playing in 12 games for the Wildcats across the 2019-21 seasons.

In 19 career games, Johnson has completed 116-of-210 passes for 1,090 yards with seven touchdowns and a 101.27 pass efficiency rating. He also rushed for a touchdown in 2019.

Johnson started eight of the 12 games in which he appeared for Northwestern. As a team captain in 2021, he started each of the team’s first three games, and in the Wildcats’ season opener against Michigan State, he completed team season highs in pass completions (30) and passing touchdowns (three).

A native of Brownsburg, Ind., Johnson was named Mr. Football for the state of Indiana in 2016. He initially enrolled at Clemson in January 2017 days after being named Most Valuable Player of the 2017 U.S. Army All-American Game.

What is Hunter Johnson bringing back to Clemson’s QB room?

Shortly after being promoted to offensive coordinator last month, Clemson assistant Brandon Streeter said the Tigers weren’t actively exploring the transfer portal for another quarterback, though he didn’t rule out the possibility of that changing …

Shortly after being promoted to offensive coordinator last month, Clemson assistant Brandon Streeter said the Tigers weren’t actively exploring the transfer portal for another quarterback, though he didn’t rule out the possibility of that changing in the future.

That future is now.

Clemson is set to add a familiar face to its quarterback room in Hunter Johnson, who will be the first player in the transfer portal era to join the Tigers’ program. Of course, Johnson has already been on Clemson’s roster once before when he signed with the Tigers out of Brownsburg (Indiana) High as one of the nation’s top quarterback prospects.

That was in 2017, and Johnson’s initial stay at Clemson lasted just one season. Nearly five full years have passed since, and a lot has changed for Johnson even if his collegiate career hasn’t exactly lived up to the five-star hype.

So what is Johnson bringing back to the Tigers’ quarterback room with his sixth and final season of eligibility?

The biggest thing is game experience, something Clemson doesn’t have a whole lot of at the position behind D.J. Uiagalelei. Uiagalelei’s backup this season, Taisun Phommachanh, is transferring. Neither Hunter Helms nor Billy Wiles, freshmen walk-ons that Swinney said will be going on scholarship next season, has played in more than five games at Clemson. The only other quarterback on next season’s roster? Cade Klubnik, who was in high school this season.

Johnson was Clemson’s third-string quarterback behind Kelly Bryant and Zerrick Cooper in 2017, attempting just 27 passes in seven games that season. With the position set to get even more crowded the following year with the addition of another five-star signal caller, Trevor Lawrence, Johnson transferred to Northwestern.

After sitting out the 2018 season to fulfill transfer rules in place at the time, Johnson took over as Northwestern’s starter in 2019, but his time with the Wildcats didn’t go according to plan either. Injuries and ineffectiveness shuffled him in and out of the lineup at Northwestern, where he played six games in 2019, two in 2020 and was benched after three games this season.

He finished his career at Northwestern completing 95 of 183 passes for 856 yards with five touchdowns and eight interceptions. But the 18 games he’s played in college are the second-most among quarterbacks on Clemson’s roster (Uiagalelei has played in 23 through his first two seasons with 15 being starts).

It’s hard to envision Johnson being a serious candidate for the starting job at Clemson given how things transpired at Northwestern, but he adds experienced depth and an insurance policy should there be a shakeup atop the depth chart in the fall.

The biggest threat to Uiagalelei when it comes to remaining QB1 is Klubnik, Clemson’s latest five-star signee at the position. Klubnik brings a ton of accolades with him from Westlake (Texas) High, where he was a three-time state champion, MaxPreps’ National Player of the Year as a senior and ranked as the nation’s top quarterback prospect in the 247Sports Composite. Klubnik will go through spring practice as a mid-year enrollee, though experience both on the field and in Clemson’s offensive system makes Uiagalelei the favorite to begin his second season as Clemson’s full-time starter in 2022.

But after completing just 55.6% of his passes with more interceptions (10) than touchdown passes (9) this season, Uiagalelei will need to show significant improvement to hold on to his spot, particularly if Klubnik performs well during the spring and into fall camp. If Klubnik was to overtake Uiagalelei as the starter, a departure couldn’t be dismissed as a possibility amid the portal era, which would put Johnson in position to be a seasoned backup if Uiagalelei was to lose the starting job and transfer during the season.

And Clemson could do a lot worse than a quarterback who’s no stranger to his surroundings. Johnson was recruited to Clemson by Streeter, who’s coached the Tigers’ quarterbacks since 2015 and will continue to do so as the offensive coordinator. Streeter will almost certainly add his own wrinkles here and there as the play caller, but Johnson is already familiar with Streeter and the way he likes to operate.

It feels like a near perfect match for all parties involved.

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Clemson lands transfer, a familiar face

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has landed a player from the transfer portal, TCI has confirmed. Former Tigers quarterback Hunter Johnson will return to Clemson for one final season. Johnson will provide experienced depth in Clemson’s quarterbacks …

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has landed a player from the transfer portal, TCI has confirmed.

Former Tigers quarterback Hunter Johnson will return to Clemson for one final season.

Johnson will provide experienced depth in Clemson’s quarterbacks room as D.J. Uiagalelei and Cade Klubnik battle to see who will lead the Tigers’ offense.

Johnson came to Clemson as a five-star quarterback and played in seven games in 2017. He completed 21 of 27 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson transferred to Northwestern and had to sit out the 2018 season. He started five games in 2019 and was voted team captain in 2021.

Former Clemson QB enters transfer portal

A former Clemson quarterback has reportedly put his name in the NCAA transfer portal. Northwestern quarterback Hunter Johnson has entered the portal, according to multiple reports. A former five-star prospect in the class of 2017, Johnson, of …

A former Clemson quarterback has reportedly put his name in the NCAA transfer portal.

Northwestern quarterback Hunter Johnson has entered the portal, according to multiple reports.

A former five-star prospect in the class of 2017, Johnson, of course, began his career playing for Dabo Swinney and the Tigers before transferring to Northwestern after the 2017 season, when he went 21-of-27 passing for 234 yards and two touchdowns against an interception in 76 snaps over seven games.

After sitting out as a sophomore in 2018 due to the transfer rule, Johnson appeared in six games with five starts as a junior in 2019, throwing for 432 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 64 yards and a score. The Brownsburg, Ind., native appeared in two games as part of Northwestern’s 7-2 campaign in 2020, then in 2021, completed 45-of-75 passes for 424 yards and four touchdowns with four interceptions.

Rated as the top quarterback in the nation by ESPN coming out of Brownsburg High School, Johnson has completed 55 percent of his passes for 1,090 yards and seven touchdowns with nine interceptions during his career overall.

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Former Tiger beats out former Gamecock for QB job

A former Clemson quarterback has beaten out a former South Carolina quarterback for a Big Ten starting quarterback job. Northwestern announced on Tuesday that Hunter Johnson will be the team’s starter for their Week 1 home game against Michigan …

A former Clemson quarterback has beaten out a former South Carolina quarterback for a Big Ten starting quarterback job.

Northwestern announced on Tuesday that Hunter Johnson will be the team’s starter for their Week 1 home game against Michigan State on Sept. 3.

A fifth-year senior, Johnson beat out former Gamecock starting quarterback Ryan Hilinski, who transferred to Northwestern from South Carolina in January.

Johnson, who transferred from Clemson in the summer of 2018, had to sit out his sophomore season at Northwestern due to NCAA rules. In 2019, the former five-star prospect completed 50-of-108 passes for 432 yards and one touchdown with four interceptions.

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Northwestern names starting QB for week one against Michigan State

Northwestern has announced who will be starting at QB against Michigan State in week one

Michigan State and Northwestern will be facing off in a Big Ten matchup to open the 2021 season in Evanston, Illinois, on Friday September 3rd.  A huge game for both teams to get off on the right foot in the 2021 season.

Much like MSU, Northwestern had a big quarterback battle going on during their fall camp. Clemson transfer and former 5-star quarterback Hunter Johnson was battling it out with South Carolina transfer Ryan Hilinski and senior Andrew Marty.

Per the Northwestern Twitter page, Hunter Johnson has been named the starting quarterback for the Wildcats week one date with the Spartans.

In one season with Clemson, Johnson threw for 234 yards on 21-for-27 passing. In his Northwestern career, he is 50-of-108 for 432 yards.

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Top five Quarterbacks in the Big Ten for 2021

The Big Ten has some studs at quarterback and we rank the top five.

The college football season is less than a month away and it is always a fun exercise to run through the rest of the Big Ten and evaluate what talent is out there. The Ohio State football team is breaking in a new quarterback and it is interesting to look at the landscape of the Big Ten and try to determine what other signal-callers are the best.

The Big Ten has a talented crop of quarterbacks to showcase this season and a few might hear their name called early in the upcoming NFL draft. The following is a ranking of the top five quarterbacks in the Big Ten.

As always, this is just opinion based on a season that has yet to kick off, so don’t get too upset just yet.