Clarksville, Tenn. is 2,039 miles away from Moorpark, Calif., but this is where running back Isaiah Johnson has made his home while playing for the Raiders.

Johnson graduated from Rossview High School in his hometown of Clarksville. According to his profile on ncaasports.org, Johnson is Rossview’s all-time rushing leader with 4,040 yards and 43 career touchdowns.

Johnson knew coming here would be an adjustment, but he loves where he is now.

“I narrowed down all my options and I loved the opportunity I got to play out here,” said Johnson. “The opportunity to be out here on the West Coast and experience this life and to play football is great.”

Johnson enjoys the many things that California has to offer versus what was in Tennessee.

“There’s definitely things out here that aren’t in Tennessee, like the mountains and beaches,” said Johnson. “This is a great environment to be in.”

As of the halfway point of the season, Johnson had a total of 397 rushing yards with three touchdowns. Johnson is averaging around 79.4 yards per game on the ground as well.

Johnson’s head coach Mike Stuart couldn’t be more happy to have a young leader like Johnson.

“Coach Espinosa, our running backs coach, was the first one who told me about him and to check him out,” said Stuart. “What sold him, I think, was that our coaches stayed on him and showed general interest in that we wanted him and that we would take care of him, not just on the field, but off of it as well.”

Along with getting taken care of, Johnson admits that he misses his mom being in the same house as him sometimes.

“I don’t have a mom to guide me anymore,” said Johnson. “I always have to wake up on my own, cook my own breakfasts, and pay my own bills.”

Johnson said it is a fun process and felt the route he took will benefit him more in life.

There are not too many times in sports, whether it be college or professional, that a person who spends their first year with a club can become a team captain. Johnson was named co-offensive team captain over the summer.

“I feel this will be something I cherish for the rest of my life,” said Johnson. “Just being able to be granted that is something great that you can never have taken away from you.”

Stuart was impressed with how Johnson was able to lead by example with his hard work ethic and that was ultimately what led him to name Johnson the only offensive team captain.

“It’s a hard honor to get as a freshman, especially when you come here late after you graduate,” said Stuart. “Since he’s gotten here, he’s shown great leadership. He always has a bright smile on his face and is here 15 minutes early to practice.”

Stuart also said the great thing about Johnson is that he takes his workouts seriously. He works out with the team in the morning, then practices with them and he goes home to workout on his own.