Columnist Bill Plaschke of the LA Times chronicles the journey of USC RB Stafon Johnson from his debut as “The Great Dorsey Hope” who wouldn’t adjust to Pete Carroll’s practice demands, to grudgingly accepting his role as the scout team running back in 2006, to the Trojans’ most consistent tailback in 2007.  The death of Johnson’s grandfather, affectionately known as “Big Dad,” in the spring had a profound impact on him: “Big Dad is here right now…running right through me, ” Johnson said Thursday.  Carroll knows that Johnson has come a long way: “We have watched him grow up…And now he is ready.”

USC’s Johnson makes a run with extra purpose (LA Times)