by Jake Terry
LSU Sports Information
In the spring of 2006, Quinn Johnson had a decision to make. LSU head coach Les Miles asked the sophomore-to-be if he would agree to switch from linebacker to fullback. Johnson had toiled for two seasons with the Tigers as a linebacker where former coach Nick Saban positioned him.
But Miles saw potential in the 6-foot-1 Johnson as a fullback and wanted him to consider the switch. The question asked by Miles prompted Johnson to question himself and his desire for the sport.
“I asked myself, ?Do I love this? Is this really what I want to do?’” Johnson said.
To help him sort through the issues and the questions, Johnson sought the advice and comfort of his teammate and best friend, Tyson Jackson. The two have known each other and played sports together since they were eight years old, so Johnson knew he could go to his closest friend for help. The duo, who graduated together from West St. John High School in 2004, has always counted on each other for support during tough times.
“We tell each other inside jokes and inside inspiration to help each other keep going and realize this is better than doing other things,” Johnson said.
After consulting Jackson and searching his own heart, Johnson had an answer for Miles.
“At first I was hesitant because I was stuck on linebacker, but I thought about it more and asked him if I could make the switch to fullback,” Johnson said. “I know that as long as I am playing football I’m happy. He could have put me at defensive line and I would have been happy just to play.”
Although Johnson was excited to be moving into a new role with the team, he knew the transition would not be easy, and he also knew his new position was occupied by some big shoes. Both Jacob Hester and Shawn Jordan were taking snaps at fullback in 2006, but Johnson was eager for the opportunity to learn from both.
“They helped me by telling me not to over-think,” Johnson said. “They told me, ?Pay attention to what you are seeing and believe what you are seeing.’ They helped me know the position like I know it right now.”
Despite signing with LSU as a linebacker out of high school, Johnson had experience as a running back at West St. John. As a junior, Johnson rushed for over 800 yards and 11 touchdowns, so it didn’t take him long to feel comfortable in the backfield. What was tough for the Edgard, La. native was moving from a defensive to an offensive playbook.
“As far as learning the plays it was a lot different because the two positions are so different,” Johnson said. “At the same time it was a lot easier because I knew what the linebacker would do. I knew what he was looking for. I knew what the defensive line was doing and what they were looking for on each play, so in that aspect it was easier. But learning the plays was pretty difficult.”
Now two years later Johnson is entering his fifth and final season with the Tigers as the starting fullback. The laid-back Johnson is not a vocal leader, but he knows the other running backs look up to him for his work ethic.
“I am not the type to be hollering and screaming, but I go out there and get it done,” he said. “Once they see me getting it done, they say ?He’s working, so I’m going to work too.’”
Johnson has bulked up to 262 pounds, adding about 25 pounds of muscle during the spring and summer months, and he’s ready to carry the ball as often as Miles and offensive coordinator Gary Crowton want to call his number.
“I do expect to get the ball more this season in short yardage situations and maybe get a few passes out in the flat,” Johnson said.
Johnson is not concerned, however, with how many times he touches the ball. For a man who has worked so hard to get on the field, the last thing he is worried about is being the star of the show.
“My main goal on the field is to do whatever I can to help the team be productive,” Johnson said. “Every time I get on the field I am going out there with my family to do whatever I can to help out my family.”
Four years and a position change later, Johnson will finally step on the field at Tiger Stadium as a full-time starter for the defending national champions. Two years after answering some tough questions about his future, Johnson is seeing his dream realized.
“It means a lot because that is what I have been dreaming of since I was in high school ? to be a starter for LSU,” Johnson said. “I have been working hard for four years to play and this is my last year, so it means a lot.”