Eager For Move
Freshman tailback Stafon Johnson said he is aware what he needs to do during the bye week in an effort to move up the depth chart. He was the only tailback who did not play in the season opener.
``I just know some things I need to improve,'' Johnson said. ``Things didn't happen on accident (in Arkansas).''
When he was placed on the scout team, running hard on every play and blocking were two areas cited as in need of improvement for Johnson.
Stafon Johnson is going to be a great running back for us. He's showing he wants to compete to be the best.
I hope he really comes on strong and starts at some point this season.
We are so loaded at RB, I keep fearing that some of these guys are gonna transfer. Keep in mind we have Broderick Green and Marc Tyler coming in next year.
Stafon Johnson, meet R. Jay Soward.
Agree with DixieTrojan!
I really hope Stafon gets his shot and becomes a big part of the RB rotation... to hear how much not playing "garbage time" affected this kid... it only goes to prove he has a desire to be part of this program... he knows what he has to do... "WORK HARD"... and he is willing to do that!!! I think he'll get some playing time vs. Nebraska... and he's going to prove he belongs!
USC_89 is an idiot bruin
As usual, Scott provides good insight and reported on Stafon's emotional leakage two full days before the Times, which mentioned it today. I'm wondering though about the quote he got from Tyrone Willingham, in which the coach says he loves Johnson and thinks the kid was the hardest hitting prep player in the west last year. Washington was one of Stafon's three top choices before he narrowed to USC and Georgia. This seems like tampering to me ... or at the very least, like Tyrone wants to leave the door open in Seattle in case Stafon decides to tranfer. And, how did Scott wind up quoting Tyrone in the first place?
ADD: Seems like Stafon is a good kid who is learning some tough but fair lessons from our coaching staff. Can't wait to see him get his shot.
Comparing Stafon to R. J Soward is ridiculous.
Soward had his job and had no competition. He thought highly of himself and never reached his potential.
Stafon is unhappy with his plight and is determined to work to improve. It would make sense that someone in the RB group is redshirted.
"USC AIN'T KANSAS NO MORE" AND JOHNSON HAS TO PUT IT ALL OUT EVERY PRACTICE OR HE SHD LOOK TO PLAY ON A "SOFTER" TEAM...PLAYERS AT USC COMPETE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL WITH THEIR OWN TEAM MATES SO JOHNSON MUST CHANGE HIS ATTITUDE AND USE THE WONDERFUL TALENT HE POSSESES?
I think Stafon Johnson's situation is a lesson for all young athletes rising to the next level of sports, after experiencing success at the high school level. Sometimes there is the tendency to read and believe all the hype and headlines folks write about you. Unfortunately, that only equates to "potential", not accomplishments. These young superstars need to understand that you don't earn playing time on the college gridiron based on your high school exploits. Unfortunately, many high school running backs get away with raw talent alone, without embracing the fundamentals at an early stage. However, when they reach the next stage and experience football players with similar athletic ability or better, it becomes very apparent that playing time is not a given but earned through hard work and perpetual improvements in the fundamentals of their game. That is why Reggie Bush was so great. He did not rely on his high school legacy, but strived every day to be the best ever - even in the little things. Reggie never rested on last week's headlines. He was out to rewrite history every week, as if he had to prove himself all over again. I hope Stafon Johnson embraces this lesson and adopts the same work ethic as legends before him. If he does, he may be something very special to behold.