MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football corner back Wayne Johnson recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss what he wants to do after football, what he likes about being part of the special teams unit and what family will be at this weekend's game, among other things.

Johnson, a senior from Columbus, Ga., has been a member of the South Alabama roster since transferring from Savannah State University prior to the 2015 season.  After redshirting last season, Johnson has appeared in all nine games this fall for the Jags, primarily on special teams.  In those nine games, he has recorded five total tackles – two solo and three assisted.

After transferring to South last season, what did you learn last season while you were sitting out?
"I learned patience; that was the main thing.  Going through the grind of practicing and knowing that I wasn't able to play football, also helped me understand football more and realize that this is what I really like doing."

How have you improved since last year?
"I feel like I have grown more as a player towards knowing the game.  I also feel like I have gotten better physically."

Coming into this season, what area did you want to focus on improving during the offseason?
"I wanted to become quicker and be able to switch out of my transitions a lot faster.  That was the main goal."

How have you benefited from the offseason conditioning program in becoming quicker?
"I feel like the conditioning program did help me in that area, along with improving my conditioning.  All of the running that we did during the offseason and rigorous training has helped build my body for this season.  It's helped me flip my hips and turn better."

What do you feel is your role on the team?
"I feel my role is to be a positive influence and whenever I get a chance to make a play out on the field to be that playmaker."

This season you have primarily served on the special teams unit.  What do you enjoy about playing on special teams?
"I enjoy being able to be on the field and go against other players.  I enjoy being able to run free and make a play on kick-off coverage, while also knowing that if a play is made or if it's not made, it can affect the game."

What factored into your decision to come to South Alabama?
"I came from Savannah State, which is a HBCU [Historic Black College and University].  I had a great experience there as far as school and learning about college, but I felt that I wanted to play on a bigger stage."

Did you know anyone here at South before you transferred here?
"I was actually getting recruited by South out of high school, but they decided to go with a JUCO player; [former assistant] coach [Brendt] Bledsole had been the main person to recruit me.   I also had a good friend, Terrance Slaughter, who used to play here.  We both had played at Savannah State, but he had come here earlier.  He told me some good things about the university."

With three games remaining in the regular season, how do you want to close out your career here at South?
"I hope that we are able to play in a bowl game, which would be a huge thing for us.  I just want us to win out and show everyone the best that we have."

What are you wanting to do after your football career is over?
"I want to go to law school.  Initially when I began college, I wanted to become a veterinarian.  My mom though has always said that I'm argumentative and that I always try to persuade others.  That made me consider going into law.  Initially when I started political science, I didn't think it would be as difficult, but I was wrong.  However, as I have gone through it, I've developed a liking to it to the work that we had to do in that major and the learning of all the laws.  I want to be able to reach out and help others that I've known who have made mistakes and try to get them back on track."

What do you like to do in your spare time?
"I love nature and animals.  I have two bearded dragons and a savannah monitor, so I like spending time with them.  I also like to watch movies and Netflix.  My favorites are suspense thrillers."

Will you have family at this weekend's game?
"My grandmother and grandfather will actually be at the game this weekend.  It will be their first one to see me since I've been here.  My mom and my aunt will also be here."

What do you feel will be some of the challenges for the defense this weekend against Presbyterian?
"We need to stop there wide receivers.  You can't take any opponent lightly.  If you go back to the Nicholls State game, we kind of underestimated their receivers and they actually had a pretty good game.  Going against a similar type of opponent this weekend, we need to make sure that we don't let them have success and make them run the ball.  We need to stay focused on doing our job when they run their motion and use their movement."

Who has had the biggest influence on your life?
"It's a tossup between three people; my mom, my grandmother and my father.  My mom has helped me in my schooling by staying on me.  I've also just watched her in how she patterns her life.  My grandmother has been able to overcome so many things throughout her life and now she is doing good.  I look up to my father on the athletic side of things."  

What other sports did you play in high school?  
"I played baseball, track and a little bit of basketball.   Baseball was probably my favorite of those three."

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