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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Travis Talks A Good Game
10/24/2005 | Football
Oct. 24, 2005
You see them everyday. Hear about them all the time. Those players that love to get under their opponents' skin. Those that that love to tell the guy across from them what they are going to do. One that will just tell you the way it is, whether you like it or not. The trash-talkers.
Ole Miss defensive back Travis Johnson is one of those guys. The senior cornerback has made a reputation for himself as one of the more vocal guys on the field. He is the guy that loves to get under the skin of the other teams' wide receivers.
"I start talking trash on the very first play," said Johnson. "I try to get up under their skin by being aggressive and pushing on them. Let them know it's going to be a long day."
The Shannon, Miss., native tries to pattern his game after some of the more notorious trash-talkers, NFL great Deion Sanders and NBA great Michael Jordan.
So far, the strategy has worked. Johnson has worked his way into the Southeastern Conference standings as a career leader in passes defended in 2005. And he has earned himself a little respect from some of the better players in the SEC, several of whom have gone on to star in the NFL.
"In 2003 versus LSU, Michael Clayton (who is now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) asked me to cut him some slack," Johnson said. "I was flattered because he was one of the best in the NCAA."
But Clayton isn't the only one that Johnson has unnerved. Former Mississippi State wide receiver Justin Jenkins has also heard the wrath of Johnson. In fact, the entire MSU team endured the wrath of Johnson in 2004.
"Justin Jenkins of Mississippi State was the guy I think I got under the skin of the most," Johnson says. "The 2004 Egg Bowl is my favorite game. I had an interception, strip attempt, and recovered a fumble in that game."
That was the last game of the season. So far this season, Johnson appears to have picked up right where he left off. Against The Citadel, Johnson forced a fumble, recovered it, and returned it 16 yards for a touchdown. In that game, Johnson also recorded an interception.
Entering today's game against Kentucky, Johnson has recorded 25 tackles (20 solo), including three for lost yardage and has personally been credited with three pass breakups.
While Johnson is one of the more vocal guys on the field, just don't ask him to repeat what he says on the field.
"I can't really say what is said on the field," Johnson admitted. "Basically I just let them know they better think twice about trying to catch a ball with me on them. I haven't really heard any good comebacks."
But don't get him wrong; Johnson does have respect for a few players and teams out there. "Taylor Jacobs of Florida," Johnson said. "He was my favorite person to line up against. LSU as a team, they have to be my favorite opponent. There is so much history between them and us. And they always come ready to play."
Johnson became more "vocal" in junior high. He says that his mom has heard him on the field, but doesn't discourage him from talking his game.
"She has heard me on the field," Johnson said."She never tells me to stop, just to go out there and do my best."
And that is exactly what he has done this season.
