Quarterback Hunter Johnson is returning to Clemson for a second stint, The Athletic confirmed on Monday. Johnson, who signed with the Tigers as a five-star recruit out of high school, transferred from Clemson to Northwestern in 2018 and spent the last four seasons with the Wildcats.
Johnson has a sixth season of eligibility because of the NCAA's COVID-19 exemption. He joins a Clemson quarterback room that includes returning starter DJ Uiagalelei and five-star freshman Cade Klubnik. The Tigers' backup quarterback in 2021, Taisun Phommachanh, entered the transfer portal in December.
Johnson was the No. 2 pro style quarterback in the 2017 class, per the 247Sports Composite Rating, when he signed with the Tigers. He completed 21 of 27 passes in 2017 as a backup behind Kelly Bryant, but transferred to Northwestern after one season.
In three seasons at Northwestern, Johnson completed 95 of 183 passes for 856 yards, five touchdowns and eight interceptions.
247Sports first reported Johnson's return to Clemson.
(Photo: Daniel Bartel / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
What factors contributed to Johnson's reunion with the Tigers?
Grace Raynor, Clemson beat writer: Clemson lost its backup quarterback from the 2021 season when Phommachanh, a former four-star prospect, entered the transfer portal. Uiagalelei and Klubnik give the Tigers two starting options, but the depth behind them was thin.
Clemson offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter initially said last month that the Tigers did not have plans to explore the portal for a backup quarterback, and Clemson instead put former walk-ons Hunter Helms and Billy Wiles on scholarship. But Johnson is a little bit different in that he knows this offense and is obviously familiar with Clemson.
If Johnson wants to get into coaching, it's a positive move for both sides. He gets back in the door with Swinney and Clemson gets more depth with someone who has experience in the system.
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How will Johnson's second stint with Clemson be different?
Raynor: This time around for Johnson will be different in the sense that he'll know his role. Whereas Johnson entered Clemson as a five-star prospect hoping to compete for meaningful reps, this time he likely understands he's here to provide depth, leadership and experience as an elder statesman of sorts before possibly starting a coaching career.
There was no clear path for Johnson once Trevor Lawrence committed to Clemson in 2018, and it forced him to reevaluate his options. This time he knows that Clemson returns Uiagalelei and is bringing in Klubnik. He won't have the pressure of competing for a starting job and can instead have fun in his sixth year as an experienced player able to step in if Clemson gets into a jam.
Will Johnson be considered for the starting role?
Raynor: It's highly unlikely Johnson will compete for starting reps. Streeter said in December that this offense still belongs to Uiagalelei, and if anyone is going to push Clemson's incumbent, it will be Klubnik.
Johnson entering the fold is more of a safety net for Swinney, who in 2018 had to make wide receiver Hunter Renfrow his emergency quarterback after Bryant transferred. Swinney vowed he'd never be in that position again, and this helps protect him in the event that the quarterback position undergoes transfers and/or injuries.
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