Keyshawn Johnson Skips Draft, Opts to Stay at USC

Keyshawn Johnson, USC’s leading receiver this season and an All-Pacific 10 Conference selection, announced Monday that he will stay in school for his senior season.

The decision came as a bit of a surprise because Johnson, 22, had privately indicated in recent weeks that he was seriously considering making himself eligible for the NFL draft.

“Although I am confident I would have been a first-round draft choice with the potential to earn more than $1 million, staying at USC is the right decision for me at the moment,” said Johnson, who attended Dorsey High. “I went back and forth with this decision, and it was not an easy one to reach.”

Johnson, 6 feet 4 and 205 pounds, transferred to USC last season from West Los Angeles Community College. After overcoming two thigh injuries, he finished with 66 receptions for 1,362 yards and nine touchdowns. He had eight receptions for 222 yards and three touchdowns in the Trojans’ 55-14 victory over Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 2.

“I didn’t try to influence him, but I am very glad Keyshawn’s coming back,” Coach John Robinson said. “Our plans next season definitely call for him to have the ball in his hands as much as possible.”