Former 5-star QB Johnson reportedly transferring from Clemson

Clemson Tigers sophomore quarterback Hunter Johnson is transferring from the program, with Purdue and Northwestern expected to be potential landing spots for the Brownsburg, Ind., native, according to multiple reports.

Johnson has three years of eligibility remaining but will have to sit out one season if he transfers to another FBS program, per NCAA rules. He initially committed to Tennessee and was also heavily recruited by Penn State and Notre Dame in 2015.

Johnson was a five-star recruit who saw limited action as a freshman in 2017, completing 21 of 31 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns in seven games as a backup to Kelly Bryant. His most extensive action came against The Citadel, when he completed 7 of 8 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown.

The Tigers have since added highly touted incoming freshman and early enrollee Trevor Lawrence, the top-ranked recruit in the nation according to some services. Redshirt freshman Chase Brice is the only other scholarship quarterback on the roster with Johnson departing. Zerrick Cooper (Jacksonville State) and Tucker Israel announced their transfers earlier this year.

Bryant is the only quarterback on the Clemson roster with game experience.

Johnson completed 8 of 14 passes for 85 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the spring game while also rushing for a 3-yard touchdown. Lawrence completed 11 of 16 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown — a 50-yard pass to deep threat Tee Higgins.

“Regardless of where we are today we’ve got a long way to go before we play in September, and no matter what happens in September I don’t think the competition’s just going to end,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said after spring practices ended, per The State. “I think we’ve got guys on the roster that are going to be driven each and every day to either be the guy or beat the guy out or make the guy better or whatever it may be.”

–Field Level Media