Reserve defensive backs David Johnson, Chaston Ward to transfer from Missouri

Two Missouri reserve defensive backs, David Johnson and Chaston Ward, have opted to transfer, a spokesman for the Tigers confirmed Tuesday.

Senior cornerback David Johnson graduated this summer and will be eligible to play his final season.

Johnson, a 5-foot-11 and 195-pound two-year letterman, started the spring listed second behind Kenya Dennis on the Missouri depth chart at one cornerback spot.

He slipped to third behind Dennis and junior John Gibson on the June 15 depth chart.

Johnson — who appeared in 19 games and made eight tackles, including two for a loss, with a forced fumble during the last two seasons — is likely to transfer to SMU, a source told The Star.

He arrived at Missouri as a three-star prospect from Spring (Texas) High in 2011.

Ward — a 6-1, 200-pound junior from Cleburne (Texas) High — began the spring second on the Tigers’ depth chart at strong safety behind Anthony Sherrils, but he no longer appears on the most recent depth chart.

Ward appeared in 20 games during the last two seasons and made five tackles, including three at Florida and two at Toledo.

He went by Chaston Cuffee until last summer and came to the Tigers as a three-star recruit, who was ranked No. 54 in the nation at safety by Rivals.

This story was originally published July 21, 2015 at 8:33 PM with the headline "Reserve defensive backs David Johnson, Chaston Ward to transfer from Missouri."