Auburn safety CJ Johnson plans to enter NCAA transfer portal

Auburn safety CJ Johnson plans to enter the transfer portal for the second time in just a few months, according to a report from On3’s Hayes Fawcett. He originally entered the transfer portal during the winter window before having a change of heart.

Johnson returned to Auburn for the spring. But after further consideration, he has opted to enter the transfer portal again.

The 6-foot-2, 206-pound safety has not seen game action for the Tigers during his two years on campus. He redshirted in 2023 after failing to see the field, then he once again did not see game action in 2024 as a redshirt freshman.

That prompted a move for the SEC academic honor roll member. CJ Johnson was a member of the 2023 recruiting class.

CJ Johnson played high school football at Paetow High (TX), where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 613 overall player and No. 57 safety in the 2023 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Football runs in Johnson’s blood. His family members, L.J. Johnson (SMU), Johnathan Johnson (LSU), Brian Johnson (Mississippi Valley State), Michael Johnson (LSU) and Terry Johnson (TCU) all played college football.

With CJ Johnson likely departing now, coach Hugh Freeze might have to reassess his roster to figure out where the needs are. He hinted at the possibility of using the spring transfer window to shore up some spots earlier this year, right before he inked the 2025 signing class.

“It’s hard to say–I mean you feel optimistic about everything we’ve done, but how in the heck do you really know in today’s times?” Freeze said of the ongoing roster evaluations. “We’ve just got to work to the end. The good thing is, as mentioned earlier, you know, there’s a portal that opens too, if you don’t get all the ones that you wanted.”

On3’s Cole Pinkston and Grant Grubbs contributed to this report.