MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football defensive lineman Ceasare Johnson recently sat down with USA Athletic Media Relations to discuss the season as well as life off the field.

Why weren't you able to play last season?
"I had a thrombectomy, which is the removal of a blood clot, in my shoulder. I was expected to return for about a quarter of the season, but they (doctors) wouldn't let me come back. They told me I was done for the rest of the year. I had pain in my back and shoulder, and my hands and arms would swell up really bad. Those are the tell-tale signs. They told me the day before (preseason) camp that I had to go to the hospital, and I was admitted the first day of camp. It's one of those deals where you can't rehab from it; it's just a waiting game."

Have you grown from that experience?
"Now I don't take football for granted. I was riding high from spring practice, and figured that it was going to be my year. But it was suddenly taken away from me. It helped me to better appreciate the game and life itself."

In which game this season did you make your return to the field?
"I played against Southern Utah in the opener. Before that game, the last game I played in was in 2010. That was three years ago in a junior-college all-star game. I was nervous before the Southern Utah game, because it was my first official Division I game. Even though I had been here for two seasons prior, I had never played. It was a great experience, other than the loss. But it helped me settle in and loosen up to get ready for the rest of the season."

What has your experience been like since the season opener?
"It's been a little easier. I haven't been as nervous or uptight. As the season progresses, the more I practice the more loose I am getting. I am starting to get my confidence back. It was shot after my surgery, but I am starting to get it back."

What has the experience of this season been like to this point?
"This year has been a grind, from the spring through the summer and into the season. But I come in every day with the right mindset and willing to work. I look forward to getting better every day."

How has (defensive line) Coach (Freddie) Roach helped you improve?
"He has taught me things that I've never worked on with any other coach. He has played on every level, and he just took his experience and brought it here. He has helped us all, and not just the defensive ends. Defensive tackles, nose guards and even the linebackers, he uses his expertise just to help us improve as a unit."

What is it like playing in (defensive coordinator) Coach (Kevin) Sherrer's scheme?
"This is the first NFL-type defense that we have played in. It has some similarities to (former defensive coordinator) Coach (Bill) Clark's defense, but it allows us to roam free and make plays. It opens up a lot of opportunities."

What are some of the challenges of playing on the defensive front?
"To me, you haven't played football until you have played in the trenches. That's where all the dislocations and fractures happen, but that comes with the territory. It's fun, but it's hard."

Did you set any personal goals heading into this season?
"My first goal was to get back in shape and in good playing health. I never set any statistical goals for myself. I just wanted to make sure that I was healthy and preparing for the season to help my teammates get better."

Why did you decide to come to South Alabama?
"South Alabama provided a great opportunity. Coach (Brian) Turner came during recruiting and told me that I had a chance to be great coming in with the scheme that we had and my ability. I was sold. I came on my visit, and that was all she wrote."

Who has had the biggest influence on your playing career?
"My mother has had the biggest influence on me, even though she is not a coach and doesn't know much about football. She always calls to tell me that God is on my side regardless of what happens. I have an opportunity and the ability to make it. She just tells me not to worry about anything, just go out there and do what I am capable of doing. Use the gifts that God gave me, and everything will work out just fine."

Did you play any other positions in high school or junior college?
"I played linebacker, defensive end, tight end, wide receiver and even some quarterback. I was all over the field because I was much smaller then. I was about 225-230 pounds, and I could run."

Did junior college prepare you for Division I football?
"It did because in junior college in Mississippi, we play teams that are basically made up of transfers of Mississippi State, Mississippi, Alabama, and schools like that, and guys who didn't make their grades. You're playing against Division I athletes."

What do you want to do when your football career is over?
"I've never seen myself doing anything else but playing football. That's always been my number-one dream. But if it doesn't work out, then I want to be a rehab specialist. That's what I am going to school for now, but it has always been football. That's always been my focus since I was a little kid."

What do you like to do in your spare time?
"It's still football, whether it's Madden or NCAA Football (video games). Sometimes I will catch up on some homework or hang out with my teammates, but that's pretty much it."

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