Marshall Faulk’s starting QB turned him down before joining Southern

When Marshall Faulk became the head coach of Southern University, many anticipated that top recruits would flock to join him. However, former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Christian Johnson surprised everyone by initially turning down Faulk’s offer. According to a profile by The Advocate, Johnson, who is a native of Indiana, knew Faulk from his NFL career as a standout running back for the Indianapolis Colts.

Despite this connection, Johnson ultimately chose to sign with the University of Louisiana Monroe in December 2025, citing issues with his college credits that prevented him from attending spring practice. Johnson later re-entered the transfer portal and explored offers from various HBCU programs, but he ultimately decided to commit to Southern University, believing in Faulk’s vision for the team.

Faulk praised Johnson’s decision-making process, noting that the quarterback did not pressure him to match any scholarship offers, which he found admirable. Johnson, who previously played at Hutchinson Community College and helped lead the program to a 2024 NJCAA Division I national championship, now serves as QB1 for Southern University as they aim to compete in the SWAC West during Faulk’s inaugural season.