Northwestern State University of Louisana

Donald Johnson played for the Northwestern Demons as a true freshman, he played on specialty teams, kick-offs, kick-off returns and blocking extra point and field goal attempts. During his freshman year, he carry the ball on offense and earned 33 yards. As a sophomore, he was the starting tailback, rushed for 709 yards and led the Gulf States Conference with the best average per carry average (6.3) on 112 carries. As a junior, he carried the ball 92 times for 624 yards for a 6.8 rushing average. Donald’s senior year he rushed for 887 yards on 159 carries for a 5.6 yard average, the best average ever in the league for a single season. During his senior year he scored six touchdowns, including four from 38 yards out or longer. An 84 yard run against Delta State was the longest ever by a GSC back. He set a record with a 184 yard rushing game against Northeast State University he had a 66 yard run against McNeese State University. His 887 yards rushing effort during his senior year was a school rushing record and allow him to break the All American, Charles “Tank” Taylor’s rushing record for 2,194 with record setting output of 2,253 yards. Donald’s effort on the Demons football team earned him the MVP selection on the first team LSWA and Offensive player of the year in the Gulf States Conference. His outstanding career at NSU also earned him with a selection to the Outstanding College Athlete of America and Who’s Who for 1973. As a side note, E. H. Gilson Sr., “N” Club Hall of Fame member and Quarterback for the 1939 Undefeated team remarked that “Donald Johnson was one of the most exciting running backs that had ever worn the Purple and White for Northwestern”.