Countdown to Kickoff: 13 Days

As we continue on our daily countdown towards the 2007 season, we are now just 13 days away from unleashing hell on the University of Idaho. Wearing #13 for the Trojans this season is the talented sophomore running back, Stafon Johnson...

Johnson, a.k.a. "The Prince of L.A.," was the prize recruit at tailback last year, but he had a disappointing freshman season in 2006. Stafon Johnson fell to the bottom of the depth chart behind fellow freshmen C.J. Gable, Emmanuel Moody, and Allen Bradford, not because he lacked talent, but because of some character issues. He missed most of the winter and spring workouts with an injured shoulder and was falling further behind. Rumors began to circulate that Johnson would be the 1st Trojan tailback to transfer before the season, but he changed that perception in a hurry. Stafon must have done some real soul searching because he has gotten a ton of carries throughout fall camp, and has probably positioned himself into the main rotation at tailback this season. That is a prime example of Coach Carroll's philosophy of creating a competitive environment for his players. It's good to see Stafon turning the corner and buying into Carroll's philosophy, as all of here at USC Sports Talk look forward to a tremendous season from "The Prince."

Fight On!