From 2012 to 2014, Johnson studied and played collegiate football at the University of Miami. He carried for 947 yards on 139 attempts and scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season.
He also caught 27 receptions for 221 yards and one score. He also tossed another touchdown in Virginia’s 41–40 defeat. He was a key member of the special teams, returning 28 kickoffs for scores.
Johnson was named ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year and Rookie of the Year in 2012, respectively. He made history by being the first Miami Hurricane to win both prizes.
When Johnson joined the Miami indoor track squad in 2013, he ran the 60 meters in 6.92 seconds, a personal best, at the New Mexico Classic. When Johnson injured his ankle against Florida State on November 2, 2013, his second season with the Hurricanes football team came to an untimely stop.
In that game, Miami was defeated 41–14. Johnson had six touchdowns and 920 yards on 145 carries through eight games. He had four catches for a total of 77 yards. Johnson’s junior season in 2014 saw him come back from the injury and participate in all 13 games.
He surpassed Ottis Anderson to become the Hurricanes’ all-time leading rusher during the course of the season. 2014 saw him finish the campaign with 1,652 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Johnson made the decision to forgo his senior year and enter the 2015 NFL Draft after his junior campaign. He amassed 3,519 running yards on 526 attempts with 26 touchdowns to cap off his college career. He also had 69 receptions for 719 yards and four other scores.