Chris Johnson

Christopher Duan Johnson is a professional football player currently signed as a running back for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He was born on September 23, 1985 in Orlando, Florida.

Johnson was drafted out of East Carolina University by the Tennessee Titans in the first round, as the 24th overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft. In his rookie season in 2008, he split carries with LenDale White, giving birth to the duo's tandem nickname "Smash and Dash". Johnson finished the season with 1,228 yards on 251 carries and 43 receptions for 260 yards and 10 total TDs in 15 games. He was also voted to his first Pro-Bowl game.

In the 2009-10 season, Johnson became just the 6th running back in NFL history to reach the 2,000 yard mark and was also voted to his second Pro-Bowl game.

Johnson played high school football at Olympia High School in Orlando until tearing his ACL his senior year. Johnson was a track superstar at Olympia High, having the second fastest 100m time in the nation behind 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Walter Dix in his senior year. His Junior Year he qualified for the finals of the Florida State meet with a preliminary time of 10.83. Walter Dix won the event with a 10.46 in the finals, Johnson placed 4th with a time of 10.66.

Considered only a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, Johnson was not ranked among the nation's top running back prospects in 2004. He selected East Carolina over Eastern Kentucky and UConn.

College Career

2004 Season

Chris Johnson enrolled at East Carolina University in 2004. Johnson made an immediate impact in all 11 games, as he eventually started 7 games on the season. He finished the season on the Conference USA All-Freshman squad as a running back. He did, however, record a reception in 10 straight games which was a team-best. He finished the season with 561 yards rushing and 765 yards on kick returns for 1,562 all-purpose yards, all team-highs. He finished the season by being ranked 24th in the nation for all-purpose yardage, and also rushed for five touchdowns. He finished the season with eight school game or season records for a freshman and finished the year with 32 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns, second on the team. In his collegiate debut, against West Virginia, Johnson returned five kickoffs for a total of 100 yards. Against the Louisville Cardinals football, Johnson returned seven kickoffs for 132 yards. In a victory over Tulane, he set season-highs with 31 carries for 158 yards and two scores. Against USF, Johnson totaled 212 all-purpose yards and scored ECU's only offensive touchdown on an 18-yard reception. In the season finale against NCSU, Johnson totaled a season-high 144 kickoff yards.

2005 Season

After his memorable freshman season, Johnson started all 11 games at tailback in his sophomore season. He led the team with 684 yards on 176 carries and six touchdowns, while also recording 35 receptions for 356 yards and two scores and 459 kickoff return yards. He was also the team leader with 1,499 all-purpose yards and set a school record with 67 career receptions as a running back. Against the West Virginia Mountaineers, Johnson rushed for 92 yards on 22 carries, team-highs. In the Southern Mississippi game, Johnson returned four kickoffs for 100 yards. The Rice victory, Johnson totaled 129 receiving yards, including an 81-yard touchdown reception. His 100-yard receiving game teamed-up with Aundrae Allison's 109 yards marked the first dual 100-yard receiving game since 1999 for the Pirates. In the Tulsa game, Johnson did not record a reception which ended his consecutive streak at 18 games. However, in the following game against Marshall, Johnson carred the ball 18 times for 106 yards and a career-high 3 touchdowns.

2006 Season

After missing spring practice to due neck surgery, Johnson returned in his junior season with 972 all-purpose yards. In the down season, Johnson totaled 314 rushing yards, 176 receiving yards, and 482 kickoff return yards. He played in 12 games on the season but only made 5 starts due to injuries. He was selected to the All-Conference USA first-team as a return specialist after the season. He also broke the school career record for receiving yards as a running back with 768 yards, but only had one 100-yard rushing game on the year and only had four rushing scores. In the season opener, against Navy, Johnson only recorded 54 all-purpose yards with one rushing touchdown. In the UAB game, Johnson had 112 all-purpose yards. In the Memphis game, Johnson recorded his only 100-yard rushing game with 106 yards on 22 carries for two touchdowns. He finished the game with 180 all-purpose yards. Johnson had a foot injury that limited his action in the West Virginia game, and caused him to miss the Virginia game. In the SMU game, Johnson returned a kickoff for a career-long 51 yards. Then, in the Southern Miss game, Johnson recorded 136 all-purpose yards that included a 96 yard kickoff return for a touchdown, his second career return touchdown. The return also made national recognition on ESPN's top plays. Against Rice, Johnson carried the ball 12 times for 83 yards.

2007 Season

After an average junior season, Johnson entered his senior season as a preseason All-Conference USA first-team as a return specialist. However, he finished the season as a first-team selection as returner and second-team selection as a running back. Johnson began the season with a rushing score in the 7-17 loss to Virginia Tech. He followed that performance up with a career-high 136 yards on 5 receptions for two touchdowns, including a 78 yard touchdown reception, and also a rushing touchdown against North Carolina. In the 48-7 loss to West Virginia, Johnson rushed for 76 yards on 14 carries and also scored ECU's only touchdown of the game. After a slow start rushing on the season, Johnson rushed for 147 yards on 24 carries with two touchdowns against Houston in the 37-35 victory. In the Central Florida victory, Johnson rushed for 89 yards with two scores, caught 5 receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown, and returned four kickoffs for 194 yards with a 96-yard touchdown return. He finished the game with a then career-high 272 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns. The next game, against UTEP, Johnson rushed for 126 yards on 23 carries. Then, in the 56-40 victory over Memphis, Johnson rushed for a career-high 301 yards and four touchdowns. He also had four kick returns for 95 yards for a then career-high 396 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in the game. In the following loss to Marshall, Johnson rushed for 72 yards and a score and 45 receiving yards for a total of 117 all-purpose yards. Then in the 35-12 victory over Tulane, Johnson rushed for 155 yards on 27 carries for two scores and caught four passes for 85 yards and another score for 240 all-purpose yards and three scores.

In Johnson's final collegiate game, the 2007 Hawai'i Bowl against Boise State, Johnson rushed for 223 yards on 28 carries and a touchdown as the Pirates won, 41-38. Johnson also had three receptions for 32 yards and a score and had six kick returns for 153 yards for a career-high and NCAA FBS record of 408 yards and two scores.


NFL Career

Tennessee Titans

Johnson was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the first round (24th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft. On July 26, he signed a five-year, $12 million contract with $7 million guaranteed.

He had his professional debut with the Tennessee Titans on September 7, 2008 where he played in the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which the Titans won 17-10. Johnson rushed for 93 yards on 15 carries and had 3 receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown. In only his second career game, Johnson ran for 109 yards on 19 carries, including a 51 yard run, and 2 receptions for 12 yards.

On September 28, Johnson rushed for the first touchdown of his career against the Minnesota Vikings. Johnson finished the game with 75 all-purpose yards (61 rushing, 14 receiving) and 2 TD's. In only his 6th NFL Game Johnson rushed for 168 yards and a touchdown on only 18 carries against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 19, 2008. Chris Johnson finished the season with 1,228 yards on 251 carries for a 4.9 ypc and 43 receptions for 260 yards and 10 total TDs in 15 games. He lead all rookies in rushing yards per game with 81.9 ypg.

Johnson finished second in AP rookie of the year voting to Matt Ryan and appeared in the 2009 Pro Bowl.

On Sunday, January 3, 2010, Johnson became the sixth player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season.  Johnson also set the NFL record for yards from scrimmage in a season on a 9-yard pass from Vince Young - he finished with 2,509 yards. He broke Marshall Faulk's 1999 record of 2,429 yards from scrimmage.