Q&A: Taurus Johnson, WR, USF

This is from a "Player Spotlight" interview conducted by Daniel Mogollon on All Access Football Radio. Click to listen to the interview in it's entirety.

Last season you had 38 receptions for 498 yards, and you found the end zone 12 times through the air and another three on the ground. After this month you will be on an NFL team, and you will be a college graduate. How fast do you want these days to come-and-go?

Johnson: I want them to come like tomorrow…(laughs)…But I know it’s a waiting process. I’m a very patient person, but you know I’m just trying to focus on school and work out a little bit. Like I said, I’m trying to graduate in May. I’m trying to take all my exams early so by the end of the Draft I can go wherever I go and focus on that.

Then it will all be about business at that point… So tell us, the last time we had you on it was before your Pro Day, before your Combine. How was that experience? Especially the Combine, it’s certainly an once-in-a-lifetime experience. What were those three or four days like in Indianapolis?

Johnson: It was unbelievable, you know, because people that you invite to the Combine are hardcore players. It was a great opportunity to be there and to represent for our school, as well as our family. You know getting to meet the other players like Josh Freeman or Nate Davis, and things like that, it was crazy. It was great going in and talking to the coaches, the scouts, the G.M.’s. It was crazy packed with people. I had a great time. It was definitely an once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was all fun.

You brought up a couple of quarterbacks there in Josh Freeman and Nate Davis. Are those guys you caught balls from? Which quarterback kind of stood out for you?

Johnson: Nate Davis is the one that I train with down at Saddle Brook. He was here the whole time. He and I were talking and getting together, we were throwing and working at the same time, you know, kind of trying to build a relationship. Who knows, he could be my quarterback at the next level. The people that stood out were Josh Freeman from Kansas State, and Nate Davis, and Pat White, and Brian Hoyer from Michigan State. I mean, those guys did a heck of a job. Like I said, Nate and I got together, that was the first time I’ve met him and then we started throwing together and we worked hard. He was saying, “You know, we could be playing on the same team.” You never know. It was fun, you know, we had a good-old time. We worked hard to get where we are now, and now we just have to wait for Draft day.

Can you let us in on some of the teams that have been talking to you? Which teams do you get a sense are kind of showing the most interest?

Johnson: Um, May 30th, Dedric Ward, the wide receiver coach from Kansas City, is going to come down here and work me out. (Changed to April 1st) I have a Tampa Bay Buccaneers workout April 15th. I know the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams…um…San Francisco, Pittsburgh… have been showing me a lot of interest. I am going to get myself ready for Coach Ward down at Kansas City because he’s going to work me out. So I’m really excited about that, as well as getting to work out with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. So I’m getting myself prepared for those two crucial workouts. I’m excited about that.

I know the stock answer is always, ‘I’m happy to go anywhere, whoever takes me’, but would it be cool to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? I mean, you probably already have your favorite spots on that field, right?

Johnson: Oh yeah, because you know I have played here for the past four years, you know being in the NFL scene and the NFL atmosphere. It’s really fun. It would be nice to stay in Tampa Bay. Being able to be close to my family, everybody could come see me play. But I really don’t have a choice, so whatever team calls I’ll be ready to go, and I’ll be happy with it, too.

Were you a Bucs fan growing up? Who did you root for in football?

Johnson: I was a Cowboys fan, you know, Emmitt Smith, Deion (Sanders), Michael Irvin, Troy Aikman. You know, I was a Cowboy’s fan growing up.

America’s Team…

Johnson: Yeah…(laughs)…Yes sir.

Now let’s shift gears a little bit. I know you were a little bit of a baseball player in high school, you played some center field I believe, and did a little pitching. I already know who your favorite team is the Atlanta Braves–unfortunately, considering that I am a big time New York Met fan. Talk about being a baseball fan growing up… Which sport did you like as a fan growing up, and even now?

Johnson: I played baseball and I played football. But football is definitely my first love, but second was baseball. My mom put me into it, you know, and I kind of just excelled going into high school. But at the same time, I love baseball, I love playing center field, I love pitching too. Growing up I watched the Atlanta Braves, you know, Andruw Jones, John Smoltz, and Chipper Jones as well. They had some great guys on that team. My mom wanted me to go to college, because I would be the first in my family to graduate from college, so she told me to stick with that and play football. I miss playing baseball a little bit, but I know I made the right choice by coming to college and playing football.

Taurus, you're a Sociology major, so talk to me my man–I’m sure this topic must have come up a lot in your classes—what are your thoughts on the impact of Barack Obama winning the election?

Johnson: I mean it was crazy. I remember when he won the race and I was here at my apartment. Next thing you know, I hear everybody from my apartment screaming and people out here running in the streets. Everybody was getting together and hugging. It was very powerful, like, you know, having your first black president, is pretty cool. It’s pretty awesome, just for me, being here to witness that, it was pretty amazing.

Did you vote? Was this your first election?

Johnson: Yeah...Yes, sir.

Taurus, before we let you go we like to close things out–as you know already–with a segment we call three-and-out where I hit you with three quick questions… so… First down: Who is somebody, it can be from all-time, in a one-on-one match-up, who is a guy you would like to have cover you and you beat him?

Johnson: I’d probably say Deion Sanders.

How come Deion?

Johnson: Deion, you know, Deion’s got the make-up speed…(laughs)…to do anything. It definitely would be a good match-up, I would love to go against Deion. You know, Deion is one of the greatest corners, and players of all-time in the NFL, as well as Darrell Green.

Going old school there with Darrell Green, I like that…Second Down: Being that you were a pitcher, if you could face anybody on the mound and strike them out, who would it be?

Johnson: Oh my god, that’s tough…Ken Griffey.

Ken Griffey…OK …your favorite player and you want to strike him out…I thought you were going to say Jose Reyes since you know I’m a Mets fan.

Johnson: (Laughs) Yeah…(laughs)

Third Down: Biggie or Tupac?

Johnson: Tupac.

Photo Credit: USF Athletics Communications, GoUSFBulls.com

TAURUS JOHNSON On All Access Football Radio

Former South Florida Bulls wide receiver Taurus Johnson joins All Access Football Radio to talk about his draft experience in this NFL Draft Bible Player Spotlight. Johnson talks about training at South Florida while finishing up his final semester of classes, working out with quarterback prospect Nate Davis, as well as his NFL Scouting Combine experience and Pro Day performance.

Johnson also lets us in on his favorite NFL and Major League Baseball teams. Who would the former high school flamethrower love to strike out? Who would he love to have cover him on the gridiron. Click to find out. Hosted by Daniel Mogollon.

Photo Credit: GOUSFBulls.com

CFI RANKINGS: #9 SOUTH FLORIDA BULLS

2007 RECORD: 9-4; BIG EAST: 4-3
Lost Sun Bowl vs. Oregon 56-21
LOCATION: Tampa, Florida
STADIUM: Raymond James Stadium (65,857)
HEAD COACH: Jim Leavitt
OVERALL: 79-47 (11 seasons)
AT SOUTH FLORIDA: 79-47 (11 seasons)

It is time for everyone to stop looking at the USF Bulls as a nice little story—they are nobody’s underdog, not anymore. They posted their second straight nine-win season and made a bowl for the third consecutive season. Oh…and they play in what is likely the most fertile state for blue chip prospects. They are clearly building towards something and this could be the year the make the jump to the head of the class in the Big East.

WHEN THE BULLS HAVE THE BALL

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Greg Gregory (2nd Season/4th at USF)
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 8
KEY LOSSES: Amari Jackson, Walter Walker

The Bulls offense should be full steam ahead in 2008. Not only do they return four of five starters along the offensive line, which is always a nice place to start, their top five rushers and top four pass catchers return, as well as their leader in the huddle Matt Grothe. The junior signal caller may not be Tim Tebow, but he did run for 872 yards and throw for 2,670 yards and you can bet that Florida St. and Miami wouldn’t mind having him on their roster. That is not to say he can’t improve, Grothe needs to make better and quicker decisions, in other words, cut down on the sacks and interceptions. Sophomore Carlton Mitchell is probably the most talented receiver they have had, and Marcus Edwards, Jesse Hester Jr. and Taurus Johnson will provide additional options and experience. There is talent in the backfield as well and if they can get more consistency from talented sophomore Mike Ford to go along with solid play from former walk-on Benjamin Williams, the offense can rise to another level.

TOP PROSPECTS: 1) RB Mike Ford (SO), 2) WR Carlton Mitchell (SO)

WHEN THE OTHER TEAM HAS THE BALL

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Wally Burnham (8th Season/9th at USF)
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 7
KEY LOSSES: Mike Jenkins, Trae Williams, Ben Moffitt

George Selvie was arguably the most disruptive defender in all of college football last season—he basically pitched a tent and camped out in the opponents’ backfield. Opposite him is senior Jarriett Buie, a returning starter, with a pair of junior college transfers David Bedford and Craig Marshall providing depth. At defensive tackle, Aaron Harris is emerging as a playmaker himself, but they will need either Sampson Genus and/or Terrell McClain, a pair of sophomores, to take charge at nose tackle. Last season, the Bulls were very vulnerable to a between the tackles power running game (see Ray Rice & Jonathan Stewart). At the next level, seniors Tyrone McKenzie and Brouce Mompremier are solid, with Kion Wilson another JC transfer who can make an impact. Their biggest losses come at corner, but the secondary should be fine with the speedy Jerome Murphy and the athletic Tyller Roberts getting their chances. The safety duo of Nate Allen and Carlton Williams rivals any in the nation.

TOP PROSPECTS: 1) DE George Selvie (JR), 2) FS Nate Allen (JR)

THE SCHEDULE

Last season they announced their arrival by going down to Auburn and pulling off the upset. This year they take on the Kansas Jayhawks, and will again have the opportunity for a statement win. Other games they cannot overlook are a trip to Cincinnati and a visit from Pittsburgh, but the most intriguing match-ups of the season are their contests versus Rutgers and a season ending commute to Morgantown. They have matched up well with the Mountaineers but haven’t with the Scarlet Knights…will that carry over? Gone are Ray Rice and much of RU’s powerful offensive line, which gave the Bulls fits. However, how will USF do against WVU without the speed of Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams on the perimeter?

PIVOTAL POINT

Consistency: Last season was a roller coaster ride…they won the first six games of the season to climb from unranked to No. 2 in the country…lost their next three to fall out of the polls once again…then won the final three regular season games to secure a Sun Bowl bid…only to finally get spanked by Oregon 56-21. Even from afar it was enough to make one dizzy. Turnovers would be a good place to start. The Bulls led the nation with their 42 forced turnovers, but were only 18th in the country and fourth in the conference in turnover margin (+9). Their 33 turnovers committed topped the Big East and was sixth most among 119 FBS teams. Two games typified the Bulls inconsistency; they went from –6 versus Cincinnati to +6 against Louisville just two weeks later—you can probably figure out which game they lost and which one they won.

CFI FINAL ANALYSIS

USF may have risen too high too fast last season, but they will be better for the experience. This is a program on the rise both in the Big East Conference and on the national landscape. The Bulls have a good amount of talent returning and it appears they have even more waiting in the wings. They’re very deep at the skill positions and improvement is expected in the trenches—this should the best offensive line they’ve lined up and the defensive line appears to be deeper. The difference maker will be Grothe, who should take a big step forward as a quarterback, leader and more importantly a winner, as he leads the Bulls to their first ever Big East crown.