South Alabama football running back Xavier Johnson can’t help but smile as he looks back on his sophomore season.
Johnson set school records with 956 rushing yards and 1,447 all-purpose yards as the Jaguars finished 5-7. He ranked fifth in school history with nine total touchdowns, including seven rushing. He had five 100-plus yards games — the most in a season by a Jaguar running back against Division I opponents. For his efforts, he was an honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference selection.
Johnson’s performance has made him want more as a follow-up.
“I need to be consistent,” Johnson said. “I need to play smart and do the right things on and off the field.”
Johnson will try to do that at 11 a.m. Saturday when he and the South Alabama football team take on Mississippi State at Davis Wade Stadium in the season opener for both teams. The SEC Network will broadcast the game live.
Johnson earned preseason All-Sun Belt second-team honors as a kick returner. He returned 14 kicks for 439 yards and one touchdown a season ago. He said the honor has made him work harder to prove it was the right decision.
As for being the Jaguars’ starting running back, Johnson isn’t taking that for granted.
“We always talk about every year is a new year, and Xavier has to prove (he’s the top back) every year,” South Alabama running backs coach Tim Bowens said early in fall camp. “He’s come out and had a good camp so far and worked hard every day. He’s got to continue to be consistent. He’s got to continue to bring it every single day and produce. He has other guys that are pushing him and producing.”
Johnson is transitioning to being a leader. He realized over the summer he was going to be looked to as a leader and decided to welcome the responsibility.
“That’s gone good,” Johnson said. “I come out with a great attitude, and that’s why they follow me. As long as everyone follows me, we’re on a good road here.
“I had a mind-set to play at a high level I’ve got to become a leader. They’re wanting to follow me and see what I’m doing.”
Johnson played against MSU as a redshirt freshman in 2014. He had 17 yards on five carries in MSU’s 35-3 victory at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. The Tampa, Florida, native had 438 yards and 451 all-purpose yards in his rookie season.
MSU football coach Dan Mullen said there is a lot of concern with the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Johnson because he can hurt you in different ways.
“He’s a well-versed, all-around back,” Mullen said. “He’s dangerous in the return game in the open field. He’s got the size to be a power guy. He’s not maybe a big bruiser, but you watch him in the return game and how he can play in the open field, that combination of game he is.
“He’s someone you have to stop, and you can’t just picture one way to stop him. You’re not just going to stop him between the tackles. You’ve got to stop him in multiple facets of the game.”
Last season, MSU allowed 174.62 yards rushing per game. First-year defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon hopes to change that with a new 3-4 base defense and multiple looks.
Sirmon said Johnson has impressed him on film. He called him a “good downhill runner” with balance.
“He’s not a guy they use a ton in the pass game, but in terms of running between the tackles, he had a couple of runs last year he broke off and nobody was going to run him down,” Sirmon said. “He’s a good physical runner, and he will be a good challenge.”
Johnson hopes to deliver on that potential this season. After earning honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference accolades last season, he feels better prepared for what he might face.
“I’ve got to stay healthy and I’ve got to play more with a passion and devotion,” Johnson said. “If I do those two things, it’s going to be hard to stop me.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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