His NFL Futute Is a matter of Degree : Keyshawn Johnson would be a shoo-in on any team’s draft wish list, but for the USC receiver there’s only one roster that counts--graduation.

After playing a starring role for USC’s football team last year, Trojan receiver Keyshawn Johnson has became one of the hottest prospects in the nation. National Football League draft analysts predicted that the 6-foot-4 speedster would be a first - round pick in this weekend’s draft--if he had been willing to forgo his final season of college eligibility.

Johnson, however, remained loyal to the school where he once served as a ball boy during the 1980s. Although Johnson knows that one mishap could lead to a potential career-threatening injury, it’s a risk he is willing to take as his value to the pro ranks continues to climb. Expected to be a leading candidate for the 1995 Heisman Trophy, Johnson says his main goal is to bring USC back to prominence as one of the top collegiate football programs in the nation. He was interviewed by Sean Waters.

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My decision (not to enter the NFL draft) came down to the last minute. I don’t think anyone has ever been so close to deciding one way or another whether to stay in school or take the money.

John Robinson (USC’s head coach, formerly with the Los Angeles Rams) answered any questions I had. I went to NFL general managers on my own and I called (draft analyst) Mel Kiper and sought out his information.

I know I would have been one of the top three receivers taken in the draft. Exactly where and when I would go, no one really knows. I wasn’t going to be the No. 1 pick overall. But I know I would have been a first-rounder.

There were questions whether I would be risking my career by playing another year of college ball. What happens if I get hurt? I can’t think that way. Anything can happen, but I can’t let it compromise the way I play football. I did take out an insurance policy (through) Lloyds of London. I cannot say how much, but it’s a lot.

A lot of my friends and family obviously wanted me to go to the NFL. But money really was not an issue. Most people think everyone in South-Central is struggling. But that’s a misconception. If we were from a starving family and I was hungry, that would have been different.

I think the most important thing was that I wanted to get my degree. I’m a history major.

Many people get a chance to go to college, but a lot of them don’t get the opportunity to finish. Quite a few of my friends from Dorsey went on to college, but not all of them have degrees or will get degrees.

I don’t buy into everything they’re teaching me at USC, because I’m really not interested in some of the stuff. But I try to learn something from every class I take. I may not have to use my degree as a pro football player, but at least I will have it.

I was contacted by a lot of (agents) who said I should enter the draft now and not take any chances.

I don’t have any second-thoughts about not joining the draft and leaving school early. I’m really happy right now. I plan to get married to my girlfriend, Skriki, who I met up north in Berkeley.

Somebody asked me the other day, ‘Who do you want to play for?’ I said whoever has the worst season in the NFL next year. That’s all I care about. I want to be the No. 1 draft pick.