Stafon Johnson

Infobox CollegeFootballPlayer

---

name=Stafon Johnson
|width=250px
caption=Johnson after his 2007 performance against Nebraska
school=USC Trojans
currentnumber=13
currentposition=Running back
class=Junior
major=Sociology
birthdate=birth date and age|1988|2|6
birthplace=Compton, California
heightft=5
heightin=11
weight=215
highlights=
bowlgames=
* 2006 Rose Bowl
* 2007 Rose Bowl
highschool=Dorsey High School
Los Angeles, California
pastschools=
* USC Trojans (2006-present)
espn=183229

Stafon Johnson (born February 6, 1988 in Compton, California) is an American football running back for the USC Trojans.

Early years

Johnson played high school football at Dorsey High School in Los Angeles, California. He played both running back and defensive back. By his sophomore season, he was considered one of the top running backs in his class, rushing for 1,170 yards and 18 touchdowns while sharing star status with junior running back Jeremiah Johnson, who went on to play for the Oregon Ducks.Eric Sondheimer, [http://articles.latimes.com/2003/dec/05/sports/sp-hssondcol5 Younger Players Win Over Veterans] , "Los Angeles Times", December 5, 2003, Accessed August 18, 2008.] Going into his junior season, he was regarded as one of the top three running backs in his region.Eric Sondheimer, [http://articles.latimes.com/2004/sep/02/sports/sp-hsrbchart2 How They Rate] , "Los Angeles Times", September 2, 2004, Accessed August 18, 2008.] His best season came as a senior in 2005 when he rushed for 2,197 yards on 247 carries with 22 touchdowns. He finished his high school career with a L.A. City record 5,777 rushing yards and 58 touchdowns. Johnson was considered a serious candidate for state football player-of-the-year.Eric Sondheimer, [http://articles.latimes.com/2005/nov/12/sports/sp-hsreport12 Taft Seeded No. 1 for City Playoffs] , "Los Angeles Times", November 12, 2005, Accessed August 18, 2008.]

A highly regarded college football recruit, was regarded as the No. 18 overall prospect in the country and the No. 2 running back by Rivals.com; in addition to the University of Southern California, he received offers from Florida, Miami, UCLA and paid serious attention to Georgia and Washington. He ultimately chose USC, noting the he liked the coaches and it was within 20 minutes of his mother and 5 minutes of his father.Martin Henderson and Dan Arritt, [http://articles.latimes.com/2006/jan/28/sports/sp-hsreport28 Dorsey’s Johnson Is USC-Bound] , "Los Angeles Times", January 28, 2006, Accessed August 15, 2008.] Johnson and future USC teammate C.J. Gable, out of Sylmar High School, were considered the best two running backs coming out of the Los Angeles area.Eric Sondheimer, [http://articles.latimes.com/2006/jan/29/sports/sp-hssondcol29 Too Much Talent? Not at USC] , "Los Angeles Times", January 29, 2006, Accessed August 15, 2008.]

College career

During his freshman, 2006 season, Johnson did not redshirt but played in only three games, rushing for 17 yards on three carries. Despite being a highly regarded recruit with strong athletic ability, he did not show strong work ethic or discipline in fall practices and found himself mostly on the scout team. There was pressure on him to transfer to another program, but he stayed at USC.Bill Plaschke, [http://articles.latimes.com/2007/08/31/sports/sp-plaschke31 USC’s Johnson makes a run with extra purpose] , "Los Angeles Times", August 31, 2007, Accessed August 15, 2008.] Gary Klein, [http://articles.latimes.com/2007/aug/24/sports/sp-uscrep24 Johnson is moving up depth chart] , "Los Angeles Times", August 24, 2007, Accessed August 15, 2008.]

Johnson had a breakthrough in the 2007 season, finishing second on the team in rushing yards with 673, with five touchdowns. In the season opener against Idaho, Johnson scored his first career touchdown on a seven yard reception. His breakout game against Nebraska, rushing for 144 yards on 11 carries with one touchdown.David Wharton and Gary Klein, [http://articles.latimes.com/2007/sep/16/sports/sp-uscrep16 Johnson goes the extra yards] , "Los Angeles Times", September 16, 2007, Accessed August 15, 2008.] Against Washington he ran for 122 yards and a touchdown in 14 carries before suffering a late foot injury.Gary Klein, [http://articles.latimes.com/2007/10/01/sports/sp-uscrep1 USC rewind & fast forward] , "Los Angeles Times", October 1, 2007, Accessed August 15, 2008.] The injury, which was first diagnosed a game earlier as a left foot bruise, was subsequently revealed to also include a sprain that kept him out of practices and limited his playing time for the rest of the season.Gary Klein, [http://articles.latimes.com/2007/oct/12/sports/sp-uscrep12 Johnson’s injury is more serious] , "Los Angeles Times", October 12, 2007, Accessed August 15, 2008.] He returned to full speed at the end of the season, rushing for 104 yards in the Rose Bowl. [http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-sp-tailbackside17-2008aug17,0,5015374.story USC tailbacks: A closer look] , "Los Angeles Times", August 17, 2008, Accessed August 18, 2008.]

In 2008, his junior year, he is expected to compete for the Trojans starting running back job.

Personal

Johnson was raised with strong discipline by his mother, Kim Mallory; he has no tattoos, no earrings, does not drink soft drinks. He had a close relationship with is grandfather, Larry Mallory, nicknamed "Big Dad", who serves as a father figure to him who attended practices and games. In the spring after his freshman year, his mother and grandfather both met with USC head coach Pete Carroll to see how Johnson could improve his time with the football team; one week later Larry Mallory passed away from a heart attack at age 66. During games his sophomore season, Johnson wrote "Big Dad" on his eye blacks.Bill Plaschke, [http://articles.latimes.com/2007/08/31/sports/sp-plaschke31 USC’s Johnson makes a run with extra purpose ] , "Los Angeles Times", August 31, 2007, Accessed August 15, 2008.]

Johnson enjoys music and bowling; his pregame ritual is prayer.Erik McKinney, [http://www.wearesc.com/news/story.php?article=1223 20 Questions with Stafon Johnson] , WeAreSC.com, August 11, 2008, Accessed August 15, 2008.]

References

External links

* [http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/johnson_stafon00.html USC Trojans bio]