Phil Collin of the LA Daily News examines how far USC running-back Stafon Johnson has come, from being a heralded recruit, to being buried deep on the bench in 2006, to being surrounded by a cloud of transfer rumors, and finally to playing a major role against Idaho on Saturday.  Johnson turned the corner during preparations for last year’s Rose Bowl, and he now has the confidence of the SC coaching staff, as Pete Carroll recently noted,

He’s done very well. He’s really difficult to tackle, he’s got great sense and great balance and he runs tough, and he’s hung onto the ball really well. It’s been a great surprise. We kind of hoped this is what we were going to see.

USC RB Johnson rewarded for staying (LA Daily News)