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USC's Ronald Johnson Leading By Example In 2010

Ryan Nunez |
August 21, 2010 | 2:07 a.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

Ronald Johnson takes a break during training camp. (Ryan Nunez)
Ronald Johnson takes a break during training camp. (Ryan Nunez)
Ronald Johnson has been an impact player from the moment he set foot on the USC campus.

The man known as “Rojo” was the Trojans’ top kickoff returner in his freshman year, leading the 2007 team with 620 yards and a 24.8 yards per return average. He showed flashes of brilliance that year, catching a 47-yard touchdown pass against Stanford and repeatedly giving the team amazing field position via kickoffs.

His special teams efforts resulted in countless scores for the eventual Pac-10 and Rose Bowl champions.

In 2008, he was again a big part of the Rose Bowl-winning Trojan team, playing in all 13 games and starting against Stanford and Cal. As a sophomore, Johnson became a fixture of USC highlight reels, recording 8 touchdowns in all, including touchdown catches of 49, 26, 63 and 45 yards.

2009 was a season plagued by injury for Johnson and consequently a disappointing one for the Trojans.

Rojo missed the first five games of the year due to a broken collarbone, and freshman quarterback Matt Barkley sorely missed him as a go-to receiver. The season was derailed early by a gut-wrenching loss to Washington but when Johnson returned he was his usual electric self, setting a career high in receptions with 34 in just eight games.

Johnson was one of many shining stars in 2007, a stud in training in 2008 and a tough-luck disappointment in 2009.

Now, in 2010, Johnson is taking on a new role: The role of leader for a relatively young and inexperienced offensive unit.

Johnson is not a ra-ra, in-your-face type of guy. He accepts his leadership role, but also knows his limitations.

“I figure I have to step up,” Johnson said. “I’m not a very vocal person, but at the same time I’m showing them by example”.

It seems Johnson has forgotten that wide receivers are supposed to be selfish divas who don’t go all out all the time. He sets a frenetic pace at practice and leads the team in heaping praise on his teammates while deflecting questions about himself.

Johnson has repeatedly said he is going to let his play on the field speak for itself while at the same time talking up the talents of teammates, such as potential x-factor senior wide receiver David Ausberry and senior fullback Stanley Havili.

Ausberry and Havili are players who could use the love.

The previous coaching staff tried to turn Ausberry into a tight end, a role that Ausberry didn't feel comfortable playing. The prospect of playing tight end left him visibly disgruntled, but he has since regained his confidence now that he is back to playing wide receiver. 

"He takes all the attention off [the rest of the offense] and he’s a guy you can depend on," Johnson said of Ausberry.

Havili was suspended at the beginning of August for an altercation with teammate T.J. Bryant, an altercation that led to Bryant having surgery on his left cheekbone.

Johnson doesn't shy away from complimenting Havili despite his recent travails.

“Havili is a great guy,” Johnson said. “He’s an outstanding leader. He brings us all up. Once he gets the ball you know he’s going to do some damage”.

The same can be said for Johnson. When asked in an interview recently who the fastest player on the team was, he flashed his Heisman-ready smile and said, “I’m not even going to comment." Then he subconsciously raised his hand and said, “You should know."

To reach reporter Ryan Nunez, click here.



 

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