Clemson Tigers quarterback Hunter Johnson will reportedly transfer from the school, making him one of the most desirable players on the open market. He showed promise as Kelly Bryant's backup for Clemson last season, completing 21/27 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns with one interception, but was clearly the third QB on the depth chart behind Bryant and early-enrollee Trevor Lawrence in the spring.
The former five-star prospect from Indiana will have to sit out a year wherever he transfers but will have three years of eligibility remaining. Where could he end up? Here are his five most likely destinations:
5) Tennessee Volunteers
Johnson originally committed to Tennessee in August of his junior year, but later flipped to Clemson in December and stayed with the Tigers throughout the rest of his recruitment. Now that he's back on the open market, will he give the Vols another look? They have a new head coach in Jeremy Pruitt but still face plenty of questions at quarterback, meaning that he could likely compete for the starting job when he's eligible in 2019 - as long as Jarrett Guarantano doesn't affirm himself as the long-term starter this season.
4) Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State was another school that was right at the forefront of Johnson's recruitment in high school and will likely be right there again. They need to find a quarterback to replace Trace McSorley in 2019 and, even though they're high on current backup Tommy Stevens, Johnson may be the better quarterback.
3) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Johnson is a Brownsburg, Indiana native and was considering Notre Dame during his high school recruitment. Initial reports suggest that he is looking to play closer to home and the Irish certainly fit the bill. Current starter Brandon Wimbush still have two more years of eligibility, meaning Johnson may have to back him up in 2019, but he would likely be the starter the season after that.
2) Purdue Boilermakers
Another in-state school, Purdue would give Johnson the opportunity to start right away for a program that appears to be on the rise under head coach Jeff Brohm. Can they pitch him on being the quarterback that can be a program-builder?
1) Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern is reportedly right at the forefront of Johnson's re-recruitment and for good reason. Quarterback Clayton Thornson is a projected first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and won't be back next season, leaving the starting job wide open for Johnson. Plus, they'd have a solid team around him and he'd be relatively close to home. Right now, they appear to be the team to beat.
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