Chris Johnson chooses to transfer from Gators

By Adam Silverstein
January 6, 2013

Four contributing players have now left the Florida Gators football team in the last 11 days as head coach Will Muschamp announced Sunday that sophomore running back Chris Johnson has also decided to transfer.

“Both Jacoby [Brissett] and Chris expressed an interest in transferring and getting a fresh start,” the coach said in a school release. “We are very thankful for their contributions to the University of Florida and wish them the best of luck.

Johnson, an undersized yet talented player, originally committed to the Gators as a safety but has also played linebacker and running back over the last two seasons. He has primarily made his mark as a special teams standout, racking up 11 tackles and a forced fumble while also carrying the ball five times for 35 yards in 2012.

He has appeared in all 26 games over two years at Florida and registered eight tackles as a freshman in 2011.

A local product who played for Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, FL, Johnson originally chose UF over Louisville, Memphis, South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

He recently made headlines by being thrown out of the 2013 Sugar Bowl after throwing a punch following an onside kick on the opening play of the second half.

Johnson joins Brissett, redshirt junior tackle Matt Patchan and sophomore safety De’Ante Saunders as players that have left the Gators over the last two weeks.

Eight total players from Muschamp’s first recruiting class in 2011 have transferred including two (Brissett, linebacker Graham Stewart) that committed to the program after he was hired as Urban Meyer’s replacement.

OGGOA Related: Brissett to transfer | Patchan, Saunders leaving Florida

10 Comments

  1. GatorKen says:

    best of luck to him. Chris Johnson seemed like a tough player and hopefully he gets a chance to prove himself elsewhere.

  2. Nathaniel says:

    Adam, just tell me this is standard, not unprecedented, and not embarrassing and I’ll feel fine.

  3. Alex says:

    Dear Everyone,

    Stop worrying about our fourth string tailback who would be fifth-string next year transferring. His greatest contribution was punching a Louisville player in the head and handing Teddy B. another easy score. I wish him the best, but this is not a big deal for the Gators.

  4. joe says:

    Whatever happened to paying your dues and honing your skills as an underclassman before you become a starter. Makes you think about Gillisiee and how truly unselfish he was.

  5. Walt P says:

    I think the kid did what was best, it’s no way he will beat out Jones and Brown. Then you have Taylor and Lane coming. Smart move

  6. Matt Elam says:

    Chris Johnson is a tough player who makes plays. He’s would be top candidate to fill in the hole in my SS spot. This is tough loss to the team. Good luck to all of them. Now they’re Gator Bait.

  7. Donnie wise says:

    Okie dokie there Matt Elam.

  8. Josh Evans says:

    I really think Chris Johnson could’ve taken my boy Matty E’s spot.

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