Syracuse, NY — A father and son will be reunited within Syracuse football this fall.
Michael Johnson Jr., son of Orange co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Michael Johnson Sr., announced his commitment to SU out of the transfer portal via Instagram on Thursday. He spent the past three seasons at Florida Atlantic University, where he was rostered as a quarterback.
Johnson was labeled an “offensive weapon” where a specific position is typically listed on the Orange’s commitment graphics. He will likely be used at a position other than quarterback by SU.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound grad transfer played 46 snaps at QB for the Owls last season. He did not appear in 2021 and suffered a shoulder injury that kept him out of the 2022 season and required surgery.
Johnson carried the ball 23 times in 2023, rushing for 140 total yards and a team-leading seven touchdowns.
According to Pro Football Focus, he was in for two pass plays and had one drop back but did not attempt a pass. He graded out at an 85.3% for overall offense and 76.8% for rushing by PFF.
Johnson started his collegiate career at Penn State in 2019. He entered the transfer portal and did not play in 2020. He landed at FAU in 2021 when his dad was on staff as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Johnson was a 3-star prospect out of Oregon back in 2019 per 247Sports. He was not rated as a transfer when he entered the portal April 24.
Michael Johnson Sr. was one of a few coaches from ex-Syracuse head coach Dino Babers’ staff retained by new coach Fran Brown. Johnson coached wide receivers last year and was moved to tight ends and given the co-OC promotion. He has over 20 years of coaching experience at the collegiate and pro levels; this will be his third season with the Orange.
Syracuse lost six players from its spring roster during the spring transfer portal window, which closed for entry April 30. It is believed Syracuse is at or above its scholarship roster limit.
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