Miami Football: 10 Best Highlights of Duke Johnson's Career

According to Matt Porter of the Palm Beach Post, Miami Hurricanes running back Duke Johnson has declared for the 2015 NFL Draft.

Johnson leaves behind an outstanding legacy in Coral Gables, beginning with his commitment to the 'Canes as a junior in high school. He verbally pledged to Al Golden and Co. exactly 500 days before he could officially sign but never wavered or fell victim to recruiting games.

Once in the orange and green, Duke punished opposing teams for more than 5,000 all-purpose yards, exploiting open space as a runner, receiver and kick returner.

He created many memorable plays, but 10 performances stand out above the rest. The highlights are organized chronologically.

Sept. 1, 2012, at Boston College

Though Johnson was a heralded 5-star recruit, he still had to compete with senior running back Mike James for playing time.

It took him but a handful of snaps, however, to show Miami exactly what it had received when he signed a national letter of intent.

Duke took a counter 54 yards into the end zone, shedding tacklers and eluding a couple more en route to his first of 33 career collegiate touchdowns.

He ripped off a 56-yarder later in the game, finishing with 135 yards on just seven carries.

Sept. 15, 2012, vs. Bethune-Cookman

When the Hurricanes hosted Football Championship Subdivision foe Bethune-Cookman, Duke didn't take it easy on the Wildcats.

He tallied four touchdowns, including a 95-yard kickoff return, a 50-yard reception and a pair of runs (1 and 28).

Johnson showcased his outstanding vision on the 28-yard rushing score, giving an early look at one of the skills that would make him so special at "The U."

The true freshman tallied 246 all-purpose yards, and it was the lone four-total-touchdown performance at Miami.

Nov. 10, 2012, at Virginia

Duke had already scored in three different ways that season, so adding a passing touchdown to his collection seemed fitting.

On the Hurricanes' first possession, he tossed an 8-yard touchdown to Allen Hurns. But he wasn't done. Virginia responded with a seven-pointer of its own, so Duke evened the game once again on the ensuing kickoff with a 95-yard return.

Duke carried the ball 16 times for a then career high 150 yards and racked up 368 all-purpose yards, which would be the only occasion he eclipsed 300.

However, Miami lost 41-40, and Johnson wasn't thrilled with his accomplishment. Per Michael Casagrande of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the running back said, "It doesn't matter if you don't win."

Nov. 24, 2012, at Duke

A late-November trip to Durham provided the most explosive running game of Johnson's career.

The player Duke scored three touchdowns on the ground against the program Duke—the only contest in which he accomplished that feat. Additionally, he improved his college-best rushing mark to 176 yards.

He lifted the 'Canes to a Coastal Division title, though the school forewent the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game and bowl season because of the since-concluded NCAA investigation.

According to Susan Miller Degnan of The Miami Herald, that division crown remains a highlight for Duke when he reflects on his days in Coral Gables.

Aug. 30, 2013, vs. Florida Atlantic

New offensive coordinator James Coley attempted to open the 2013 campaign with a bang, calling a flea-flicker on the initial play from scrimmage.

It wasn't open, however, so Stephen Morris floated a checkdown pass to Johnson, who slashed through the Florida Atlantic defense for 38 yards. Long story short, it was a sign of things to come.

A 53-yard scamper was the Hurricanes' first touchdown of the year and highlighted yet another career-best performance for Johnson.

The nonconference matchup was Duke's inaugural game as the full-time starter, and he shredded the Owls for 186 yards on 19 attempts.

Oct. 26, 2013, vs. Wake Forest

Wake Forest gave a 6-0 Miami squad all it could handle, taking a 14-10 lead into the fourth quarter. The 'Canes needed someone to step up, and as noted by Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, Duke told coaches to give him the ball.

"I wanted the ball," Johnson said. "So I went to coach, and we talked about it, and coach said 'We're going to put it in your hands.'"

The electric sophomore accounted for 85 yards on 14 carries during the final frame, scoring a go-ahead touchdown with 5:36 remaining before recording the game-winner with 53 seconds left.

Overall, Duke registered a career-high 30 attempts, totaling 168 yards and those two touchdowns.

Oct. 11, 2014, vs. Cincinnati

Cincinnati's defense didn't pose a large threat, and Johnson capitalized on the Bearcats' weakness right away. Aided by a gorgeous 80-yard run, Duke managed 132 yards by halftime on a mere seven carries.

He toted the rock just three times during the second half before sitting out the rest of the blowout victory, finishing with 162 yards.

But the small workload was still quite notable. The 16.2-yard-per-carry clip was the program's best average by a running back who tallied at least 10 carries.

Additionally, he passed Santana Moss to set the Miami record for all-purpose yards in a career.

Oct. 23, 2014, vs. Virginia Tech

"So, he runs away from you, he jumps over top of you, he stiff-arms you in the face. I mean, this guy can do a lot," ESPN's Jesse Palmer said during the Virginia Tech broadcast.

The play Palmer referenced occurs at 1:52 in the accompanying video, and it epitomizes the stellar performance Duke had that Thursday night, when he matched Lorenzo Roan for the third-best output by a Miami back.

"I was scared to death of Duke Johnson, and he proved why tonight," Hokies defensive coordinator Bud Foster after the 30-6 Miami victory, per Christy Cabrera Chirinos of the Sun Sentinel.

Johnson zoomed by his previous rushing high, thrashing Virginia Tech for 249 yards and one touchdown on the ground. He added two receptions for 37 yards and a score.

Nov. 1, 2014, vs. North Carolina

How did Johnson follow up that 249-yard showing? He did it in style, of course. Duke boosted his stellar campaign with a 90-yard touchdown run, tying Jack Losch for the longest sprint in Miami history.

The junior raced to 172 yards and two scores before Miami and North Carolina entered the locker room for halftime.

On the Hurricanes' opening drive of the third quarter, Johnson carried the ball twice for five yards but took a screen pass 37 yards to pay dirt.

He finished with 226 combined rushing and receiving yards, which was the fourth time he eclipsed the 200-mark on offense.

Nov. 29, 2014, vs. Pittsburgh

J Pat Carter/Associated Press

It's a shame his finest achievement happened during a terrible, horrendously played game, but such is life with sports.

Duke capped a fantastic college career by topping Ottis Anderson's 36-year-old rushing record of 3,331 yards early in the third quarter against Pitt.

Chirinos noted Johnson recognized the significance of what he accomplished, even in the deflating loss.

"

When you reach a milestone like that, you want to come out with a victory in that game, which we didn't. But at the same time, I think it's a great honor, not only for me, but for all the players I played with all three years, the academics, everybody around the building that helped me stay eligible to be on the field.

"

The record setter was a nine-yard run up the middle. Duke needed just 496 carries to set the mark, compared to Anderson's 691 attempts.

Johnson's statistical career culminated exactly how it ultimately should've. He was loyal to the program, carved his name into Miami lore and created a long-lasting legacy.

Now, Duke's football career will continue at the next level: The NFL.

Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.