LJ Johnson Jr. News, Rumors, Updates - SMU Mustangs

Second fiddle to Smith in win Johnson tallied eight carries for 36 yards during Saturday's 28-27 overtime victory against Duke.

Impact Johnson led SMU's backfield in carries last week, but was significantly out-paced by Brashard Smith against Duke, who logged 26 carries. Johnson should continue to be a factor on the ground for the Mustangs, but Smith may have a tighter grip on the lead tailback role at this point in the season.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Paces backfield in carries Johnson accrued nine rushes for 45 yards and two touchdowns and caught their only target for 14 yards during Saturday's 40-10 win against Stanford.

Impact Johnson's nine rushes were the most of any SMU tailback. Though he was bested in terms of yards by Brashard Smith, it's encouraging to see Johnson lead the way for the Mustangs' backfield. His nine carries were the most he's seen since Week 1. Snaps might not be so evenly distributed in a closer game, but it's clear the SMU coaching staff trusts both Smith and Johnson to handle the backfield duties in Dallas.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to play Johnson (concussion) is cleared to play in Saturday's game against Louisville, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Johnson was held out last week but will be able to return after just a one-week absence. He's off to a promising start with 22 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown through three games. Expect him to be reinserted behind Brashard Smith in Saturday's action.

OCTOBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to be available Saturday Johnson (concussion) is expected to be available during SMU's game Saturday at Louisville, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Unlike before SMU's previous game, Johnson's status is much more promising this time around. Unless the running back suffers a setback between now and Saturday, he is expected to log his first carries since Week 4.

OCTOBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Saturday Johnson (concussion) is out for Saturday's game against Florida State, Jacob Richman of TheLoneStarLive.com reports.

Impact The absence of Johnson is a huge blow for SMU's backfield. Expect more looks for Roderick Daniels, who primarily operates as a receiver, and Derrick McFall, with Brashard Smith being the top option in the rushing attack. Johnson's next chance to play will come against Florida State on Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Status day-to-day Johnson is day-to-day due to a concussion, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact According to an earlier announcement from Assimakopoulos, Johnson suffered his concussion during the Mustangs' game Saturday against TCU. Once again and unsurprisingly, they will monitor him daily before their next matchup. Currently, it is scheduled for Sept. 28 against Florida State.

SEPTEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Available to play Johnson (undisclosed) is available to play against BYU Friday, Jacob Richman reports.

Impact It remains to be seen what Johnson's role in the offense will look like. He's likely going to serve as the immediate backup but may be limited given that he was dealing with an injury leading up to the game.

SEPTEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Status uncertain Johnson Jr. is day-to-day as he deals with an injury, Lia Assimakopoulos of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Johnson Jr. is coming off a good performance in a blowout against Houston Christian in which he recorded eight carries for 50 yards. Now, the halfback has been deemed day-to-day with an injury and is therefore questionable against BYU on Friday.

SEPTEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Solid day in blowout Johnson Jr. recorded eight rushes for 50 yards and hauled in their only target for six yards during Saturday's 59-7 victory versus Houston Christian.

Impact Johnson ran the ball just eight times, as SMU had no issue handling Houston Christian in a big-time blowout. Johnson and Brashard Smith are still the top dogs in this backfield, with Smith holding the slight edge currently.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Solid day in blowout Johnson Jr. recorded eight rushes for 50 yards and hauled in their only target for six yards during Saturday's 59-7 victory versus Houston Christian.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Bottled up Saturday Johnson Jr. totaled nine rushes for 19 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 29-24 win over Nevada.

Impact Johnson couldn't get much of anything going on the ground, and his touchdown run was a one-yard scamper coming on the heels of an extremely demoralizing penalty against Nevada that set up first-and-goal from the one yard-line. Johnson wasn't alone, however, as SMU's running backs struggled to find consistent creases all night in Reno. Johnson finished as the Mustangs' second-leading rusher, and should continue to be part of what was a committee approach moving forward.

AUGUST 25 • ROTOWIRE

Leads backfield in win Johnson notched 21 rushes for 115 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 38-34 win against Memphis.

Impact For the second straight week, Johnson received 20 carries, went for over 100 yards and scored a touchdown. It appears he has taken over the lead in the Mustangs' backfield, as he dominated touches over Camar Wheaton (nine carries for 51 yards) and Jaylan Knighton (two carries for five yards).

NOVEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Workhorse in Friday's win Johnson had 20 rushes for 106 yards and one touchdown and caught their only target for 12 yards during Friday's 45-21 victory against North Texas.

Impact Johnson led the team with 20 rushing attempts Saturday and it allowed him to run for over 100 yards and a touchdown for the second time this season. Jaylan Knighton also had a productive day, rushing 17 times for 129 yards and a touchdown. It will be a more difficult matchup for both of them Saturday at Memphis, a team which boasts a much better run defense than the Mean Green.

NOVEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leads backfield Saturday Johnson posted 15 carries for 73 yards and hauled in 3 of 4 targets for 26 yards during Saturday's 36-31 victory versus Rice.

Impact Johnson led the team in carries and yards Saturday as he received his most touches of the season. He has quietly received more work over the past few games and appears to have taken over Camar Wheaton (one carry for one yard) as at least the No. 2 in the Mustangs' backfield. This backfield is a difficult one to predict, as it seems any of Johnson, Wheaton and Jaylan Knighton can take over the backfield in any given game.

NOVEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Commits to SMU Johnson has committed to SMU, Billy Embody of On3.com reports.

Impact The former Texas A&M running back. Johnson notched 10 carries for 39 yards and two touchdowns in six games during the 2022 season.

DECEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Notes on on Texas A&M's football newcomers (VIP) Gigem 247 has you covered with how some of them have looked during their first few days of summer workouts including big Australian junior c...

JUNE 13, 2021 • 247SPORTS.COM

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