Advertisement
Traci Johnson - Managing Editor/Sports, Production and Visuals

Managing Editor/Sports, Production and Visuals

I was born and raised in Alabama, where not a soul alive can beat me in Crimson Tide football trivia or match me in houndstooth items owned. But I've lived almost as long in Florida; I'm what's known around these parts as a Times lifer. I was an intern back in the day at the St. Pete Times, then after graduating Troy University, felt the calling to come back south and be a permanent beach bum/sports editor. My vast knowledge of mascots obviously makes me an expert at colleges and preps, but you can quiz me anytime on special event coverage as well (especially the Triple G of Gasparilla, Grand Prix and golf).

  1. USF gets a Christmas Eve bowl, playing in Hawaii against San Jose State.
  2. The USF football team will host Memphis on the other side of the state Saturday, playing at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
  3. Brian Battie, a former USF and current Auburn player, was shot in Sarasota early Saturday morning.
  4. Bucs running back Ronald Jones runs for a touchdown against the Panthers late in the third quarter Sunday.
  5. Bucs quarterback Tom Brady (12) yells at members of his offensive line as they walk off the field after a penalty-marred third-quarter drive.
  6. Tampa Bay Lightning Steven Stamkos (91) with the Stanley Cup before his boat launches for the Stanley Cup Champions Boat Parade, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020 in Tampa.
  7. Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill (8) runs to the end zone for a touchdown against LSU cornerback Eli Ricks (1) and safety Todd Harris Jr. (4) on a pass reception in the second half. Mississippi State won 44-34 in death valley.
  8. Syracuse quarterback Rex Culpepper, who graduated from Plant High, threw for his first touchdown Saturday since being declared cancer free in 2018.
  9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) runs off the field after the Buccaneers 34-23 loss to the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020 in New Orleans.
  10. Louisiana Lafayette running back Chris Smith, center, returns a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown during the first half of a game against Iowa State on Saturday.
  11. Miami's  DeeJay Dallas scores during a game against Florida in August in Orlando.
  12. Washington quarterback Jacob Eason likely is too high of a draft pick for the Bucs as a projected second-rounder. But if they're looking for someone to mold, and who fits coach Bruce Arians' game plan, he's not a bad choice.
  13. Georgia State head coach Shawn Elliott is doused after defeating Tennessee in Knoxville.
  14. Brylee Bartram, of Seffner Christian Academy, looks for an open teammate during a game against Carrollwood Day School. (MONICA HERNDON | Times)
  15. USF Bulls quarterback Blake Barnett (11) is sacked by East Carolina Pirates tight end Johnny Bogle (84) during the first quarter Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 in Tampa. OCTAVIO JONES   |   Times
  16. Sebastian the Ibis was celebrating the last time Miami met Florida State, when the Canes held rallied for a 24-20 win in Tallahasse. They meet again Saturday in a 3:30 p.m. game at Hard Rock Stadium that will be televised by ABC. MONICA HERNDON   |   Times
  17. Florida State coach Willie Taggart is seen on the sidelines during the first quarter against Virginia Tech at Doak Campbell Stadium Monday, Sept. 3, 2018 in Tallahassee. OCTAVIO JONES   |   Times
  18. South Florida Bulls student section during the game against Georgia Tech at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, September 8, 2018.  OCTAVIO JONES   |   Times
  19. Blake Barnett (11) and the USF Bulls face Illinois Saturday in Chicago. OCTAVIO JONES   |   Times
  20. Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen runs out of the tunnel before the game against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers on September 1, 2018 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.  MONICA HERNDON   |   Times
  21. Alabama head coach Nick Saban watches a drill during a Peach Bowl NCAA college football practice in Atlanta, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016. Alabama and Washington will face off in the Peach Bowl football game Saturday. (AP Photo/David Goldman) GADG112