This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/cfb by /u/lunchboxthegoat on 2023-08-23 16:35:09.
Counting down to the beginning of the season I’m going to attempt to post one player per day for the last 99 matching the days left to their jersey numbers. The players will be random. Use this thread to celebrate and Talk About Some DudesTM
USC Fans rejoice! You’ve had some legends passed over but Key came to mind early as #3.
Joseph Keyshawn Johnson was born in Los Angeles, CA and attended Palisades High School for his sophomore and junior years and Susan Miller Dorsey High School for his senior year. He was a standout football prospect but struggled to escape gang crime and legal troubles early on. He spent nine months in juvenile detention stemming from possession of marijuana, cocaine and a concealed handgun. His low SAT scores forced him to start his collegiate career in community college. He started at West Los Angeles College and lasted just eight games. He stopped showing up to practice and returned to running with the wrong crowd.
After sitting out the remainder of his freshman year and his sophomore years he returned to play in 1992 and earned a scholarship from John Robinson and the USC Trojans. He played in the 1994 and 1995 seasons but made his mark in a huge way.
1994 saw Keyshawn catch 66 balls for 1362 yards and 9 touchdowns. Leading the team in all three categories along with yards per reception. It was the second most yardage a Trojan receiver had ever compiled. USC went onto play in the 1995 Cotton Bowl Classic. Johnson caught 8 balls for a Cotton Bowl then-record 222 yards and (still record) 3 TDs earning USC the victory and himself MVP honors. He was named first-team All-Pac-10 and third-team All-American.
1995 was an even more incredible year for Keyshawn. In just 12 games he caught (a then team record) 102 balls for (personal best and still 4th most in USC history) 1434 yards and 7 TDs. USC advanced to the Rose Bowl against the upstart Northwestern Wildcats. Keyshawn caught 12 passes for a (then) Rose Bowl record 216 yards and a touchdown in the victory. He was named player of the game. For his season he was again named first-team All-Pac-10 but this time he added the Pop Warner Trophy, Pac10 Offensive Player of the year and a unanimous All-American selection.
Despite playing just two seasons he remains #10 All time at USC for career receiving yards and holds the 4th and 5th highest single season receiving totals.
After exhausting his college eligibility Keyshawn became just the third receiver ever (and last to date) to be drafted #1 overall in the NFL draft. He spent 11 NFL seasons with four franchises including a Super Bowl victory, and 3x Pro Bowl selection.
He was named to the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2008.
