Athlete Spotlight: football linebacker Auston Johnson
Auston Johnson is a senior linebacker for Coyote football. Johnson, of Chino Hills, Calif., transferred to USD from El Camino College in 2013. Last season, he was named all-Missouri Valley Football Conference honorable mention after posting 69 tackles and 7 sacks for the Coyotes. Johnson is a sustainability major with a minor in sociology.
Sean Bower: This is your final season as a Coyote. How is it going for you?
Auston Johnson: It started off a little slow, but we’ve picked it up. The season hasn’t gone exactly how we wanted it to go, but we have to keep getting better and working hard to get these final wins.
S.B.: So what are you looking forward to most in your final games as a Coyote?
A.J.: Just leave a legacy. You always want to go somewhere and be remembered for something. It’s all about leaving your mark. It’s a good feeling to leave a statement as to what you contributed to your team.
S.B.: What made you choose USD coming from El Camino College in California?
A.J.: I came up here on a visit. I loved the environment, I was comfortable with the coaches and loved the schemes they ran. It was just a great fit for me and I enjoyed what they had to say.
S.B.: When you first got to South Dakota, what impression did it have on you?
A.J.: I was shell shocked because when I came out here on my visit it was snowing. So, when I came back for my first year, I wasn’t used to the bugs and humidity up here in the summer.
S.B.: Do you ever get back to California?
A.J.: I’ve been back several times. Both last winter break and spring break I got to go back, which was awesome.
S.B.: So what do you miss most about California?
A.J.: The sun, the weather, family, friends, my beagle. Basically everything, but friends and family — especially being away from them for so long.
S.B.: When your football days are over here at USD do you plan on pursuing a professional career in football?
A.J.: Absolutely. I believe I have the skillset, the mindset and the work ethic to make it to the next level. My father was a hall-of-famer in the Canadian Football League, so that gives me confidence that I can succeed as well.
S.B.: If you had to choose one NFL team you could play for, who it would it be?
A.J.: I would have to go with the San Diego Chargers.
S.B.: Other than a profession in football, what would your dream job be?
A.J.: Well, I’m a sustainability major and I believe that is going to be one of the most important professional fields out there. My dream job would be working at OCIA, an environmental sustainability company. Going green and being environmentally responsible is the key to future generations, so that is very important to me.
S.B.: Last year you finished with seven sacks, and this year you are second on the team in sacks. If you were allowed to do one sack dance, what would it be?
A.J.: Oh, it would have to be the money sign — the Money Manziel celebration for sure.
(Photo: Senior linebacker Auston Johnson rushes to the scene of a tackle in the Coyote’s Nov. 8 game against Western Illinois. Johnson played in all 12 games of the 2013 season and had 11 starts as an inside linebacker. Chris Timmerman / The Volante)
