CHRISTON EXPECTS TO PROVE HIS WORTH
USC transfer has his sights set on Aztecs’ top running back
When he began workouts at San Diego State last week, Kenan Christon did not do so with the expectation that he would instantly be regarded as SDSU’s No. 1 running back.
“I think you should earn the spot you want,” said Christon, who transferred to SDSU last month after three years at USC. “Nothing should be given.”
Christon is confident, however, that he will prove himself to be the Aztecs’ top running back — as well as a potential return man — by the time the season opens Sept. 3.
“That’s always the expectation,” he said of being a starter. “If that happens, great. If not, then I’ll go back to the drawing board and keep working.”
Christon possesses the confidence — what some call athletic arrogance — that comes with success and faith in his abilities.
Asked what he brings to the table, the 5-foot-10, 185pound Christon said, “My speed is unmatched, for sure. Not to say that anyone else on the team isn’t fast or powerful, but I just think I’m a great addition to the team . ...
“I’m a very versatile back. If you need me to carry the ball 25 times, I can do that. If you need me to catch the ball 25 times, I can do that. Whatever it is, I can do it.”
On May 31, SDSU head coach Brady Hoke officially announced Christon’s addition to the SDSU program.
Hoke was not made available for further comments when a request was made by the Union-Tribune.
Christon was a two-sport star at Madison High who rushed for 980 yards and 11 touchdowns in the fall of 2018 for the Warhawks football team and won 2019 state titles in the 100 and 200 meters in the spring on the track team.
At USC, his first game action as a true freshman in 2019 came against Arizona when he was called into the game in the second half after the Trojans’ top two rushers were injured.
“I’ve seen San Diego State’s style of play and I really think that I will f it well in the offense.”
Kenan Christon • Running
back
Christon responded with a game-high 103 yards on eight carries, including touchdown runs of 55 and 30 yards.
He started the last three games of the season — against Arizona State, Cal and UCLA, finishing the year with 68 carries for 373 yards and two TDs along with 11 receptions for 126 yards and three TDs.
In the truncated 2020 season, Christon carried 10 times for 70 yards in a backup role.
Last season, Christon played in only the season’s opening game against San Jose State before being suspended for what The Los Angeles Times reported as an altercation with another USC student.
According to The Times, USC officials decided Christon had seven violations of the student code of conduct. He was
suspended from campus and university activities until Dec. 14, 2022 (the suspension later was shortened to May 12).
Christon told The Times in November that he believed he was being treated unfairly by the university. He also said the students had patched things up.
During a news conference on Nov. 23, Christon said it was “a big misunderstanding.”
“I just want to say again, I’m sorry,” he said then. “I would like my life to be back to normal. I’ve worked so hard to be where I am today, and for this to happen it’s just, it’s a lot to me.
“I do feel that my punishment is excessive. I have missed out on the football season due to being suspended until the end of next year. I think it’s crazy for me to miss a whole ‘nother football season. Overall, it seems like this is just stopping my future. It doesn’t seem fair.”
Speaking to the UnionTribune about the incident, Christon said, “I stand by my statements, but I’m past that now. I’m just excited to be part of the Aztec family.”
He said the incident made it clear “how quickly my life could change and that my decisions determine everything.”
“It’s a learning experience, for sure,” Christon said. “It just gives me more knowledge. It allows me to know the things that could be detrimental to my future. It also gives me the opportunity to educate younger people.”
Christon said he has not picked a major, though he is one year away from being able to graduate. He has potentially three years of eligibility remaining.
“I’m going to take it day by day, year by year,” Christon said. “If this upcoming year is a great year for me and I feel like now is the time (to move on),
then that will be that. But if not, then I’ll take my time and come back.”
Christon took his time deciding where to transfer, consulting family members and other close to him before reaching his decision.
He is excited to be coming back home.
“Being able to play in front of everyone I grew up around, being back in the city I grew up in — it’s a great feeling,” Christon said. “I’ve been through this recruiting process a couple of times, so I can see through the glitz and glamour of recruiting.
“When I was being recruited by SDSU, it was different. They weren’t trying to sell me something that I knew was fake.
“I talked to all the coaches and I’ve seen San Diego State’s style of play and I really think that I will fit well in the offense.”