Head coach Fran Brown made a couple more moves over the last couple of days bringing in a backup quarterback and a four-star cornerback to 315. QB Michael Johnson Jr. committed to Syracuse today and is the son of Syracuse co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Michael Johnson. Johnson Jr. comes over from Florida Atlantic University with two years of eligibility remaining. As for cornerback Marcus Washington Jr., he played for Louisville this past year and committed to SU after taking an official visit this past weekend. So, what is there to know about these two players?
QB Michael Johnson Jr.
Johnson Jr. is a great fit to backup quarterback Kyle McCord this year, although it’s been an unusual journey to this point for the playcaller. The California native has two years of eligibility remaining. Johnson Jr. started his career in 2019 with Penn State, before entering the portal in 2020 and taking an off year. After that, he joined FAU in 2021 for his second year of eligibility before missing 2022 with an injury. Johnson Jr. played in 2023 as a special teams gunner and returner from time to time. In his redshirt junior season, he rushed for seven touchdowns and 140 yards in 10 games. Johnson Jr. is described as a player who’s “at his best when the play breaks down.” It’s still unknown if Johnson Jr. will play this season, but if something happens to McCord, SU will have a backup option with lots of potential. It also helps that the QB’s dad is the co-offensive coordinator.
CB Marcus Washington Jr.
Washington Jr. is a massive addition to Syracuse’s defense for next season. The Georgia native played under Brown at UGA in 2022 after being a four-star coming out of high school. In his time at Georgia, Washington Jr. played just one game before entering the portal and eventually ending up at Louisville. With the Cardinals, the cornerback played just two games on defense but appeared in all 14 with the special teams unit. Washington Jr. is similar to Johnson Jr. in the fact that both guys are unproven. Yet, they both have the ability and skill to be key role players on the Orange roster this upcoming season.
