Clemson Quarterback Hunter Johnson Transfers To Northwestern

EVANSTON, IL — Northwestern University announced Monday a highly touted quarterback has committed to transfer from Clemson University. Hunter Johnson, who was rated No. 1 by ESPN among quarterbacks in the 2017 class, will join the Wildcats with three years of eligibility in 2019. That sets him up to current quarterback Clayton Thorson, a rising senior.

"I'm thrilled to be a part of the Wildcat family," Johnson said in a release. "The program that Coach Fitzgerald and his staff have built at Northwestern is phenomenal, and one my family has had the opportunity to get to know and trust. I am thankful to Coach Swinney and the Clemson family for all their support over the past year-and-a-half. My focus now is on doing everything in my power to help this team prepare to compete for a Big Ten West title. Go 'Cats!"

Johnson is a native of Brownsburg, Indiana who was named the state's Mr. Football in 2016 before enrolling in Clemson last year. During his career at Brownsburg High School he recorded 6.657 passing yards and 69 touchdowns. He also rushed for 727 yards and scored seven touchdowns on the ground.

As a true first-year last season for the Tigers, he played in played in seven games and completed 77.8 percent of his passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns on the way to Clemson's Atlantic Coast Conference championship. In 2016, Johnson was ranked as high as the No. 18 overall recruit in the nation by Rivals, according to the release. He also earned an Elite 11 invitation and was the most valuable player in the All-America game.

"We are ecstatic to add a player of Hunter's caliber and character to our program," said Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald. "He comes from an outstanding family, one we've had the opportunity to know for many years, and he will fit right in to the culture we continue to build here in Evanston. I'm excited for the opportunity to be his coach and look forward to him joining our football family on campus this month."

Johnson's brother Cole was a safety key special teams player for Northwestern before enrolling in dental school. He earned Practice Player of the Week honors six times for the Wildcats from 2013-16, according to the release. The 2018 season begins Aug. 30. Per NCAA eligibility rules, Johnson will set out the 2018 season before being able to play for the Wildcats for three years.