C.J. Johnson was ranked as a three-star recruit coming out of high school and joined East Carolina in 2019. Johnson contributed immediately for the Pirates as a true freshman and made the Pro Football FOcus' All-Freshman Team after playing in all 12 games with six starts. He led the team with 908 receiving yards and 16.8 YPR. The COVID-shortened 2020 season shockingly saw Johnson finish with only 19 receptions in 9 games, but he led the team in YPR (21.3) and receiving touchdowns (6).
Johnson's receptions went up in 2021 with 35, but his 520 receiving yards were a far cry from his freshmen season production. Despite being a starter, he was the fourth receiving option for the Pirates. Johnson's senior season in 2022 resulted in him finishing second on the team in reeptions (67) and receiving yards (1016), and first in receiving touchdowns (9). His strong season saw him selected to the All-American Athletic Conference Second Team.
