John Staton
Football
Class: Senior
Major: Finance and Marketing with a Sports Marketing concentration
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Tell us about your family. Any pets?
I have two sisters Hailey who is attending North Carolina and Catherine who will be a junior in High School. My dad and mom both attended North Carolina as well. We have a puppy named Cache as well.
Tell us about your hobbies.
I really enjoy watching baseball and playing golf. Baseball was my first love and golf is my favorite hobby outside of football.
What is something you're determined to accomplish one day?
I really want to be a General Manager of a profession sports team.
Tell us about an unusual talent you have.
I don't know if it is considered a talent but I can write with both hands.
What are you most likely to become famous for?
I would most likely to become famous for my embarrassing moments on the football field. I tend to have at least one or two bloopers every single game.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I love Chinese food but I think I would probably pick BBQ.
What’s the most awkward thing that happens to you on a regular basis?
People usually don't get my last name right but people also prefer to call me by my last name so it usually gets pretty awkward.
What band would you be embarrassed to admit you listen to?
I really enjoy listening to Maroon 5.
What's your favorite book and why?
My favorite book is the Great Gatsby. The book has a lot of deeper meaning to it and I usually find a new take away each time I read it.
If you could pick three famous people to be a part of your entourage, who would you pick and why?
Matthew McConaughey, Lebron James, and Tiger Woods. I think all three of those guys would be so interesting to get to know and would make me look a lot better.
What are some small things that make your day better?
I talk to my dad phone on the phone most days which really makes me happy, but Coach Rohling (Tommy Rohling, Strength and Conditioning Coach) sends me a leadership quote that usually makes me motivated to get through each day.
Why Samford? What made you decide to bring your talents to this university?
I like to tell people the green grass is what made me come to Samford. I wasn't recruited out of high school so when Coach Hatcher gave me the opportunity to walk on here I couldn't pass it up. Samford has given me the opportunity to play football, get a world class education, and further my relationship with the Lord. It was really a no brainer for me.
How has your unique Samford experience positioned you to reach your goals?
Samford has provided me with the opportunity to really grow in every aspect of life. I have had far more opportunities at Samford that were unexpected to develop myself off the field than I every could of expected. The people at this University really make it the special place it is.
What is your most memorable academic experience?
Being accepted into the Sports Marketing program was a really special experience for me. It has given me so many opportunities to pursue my passion of business and sports.
Who has had the greatest impact on your time here at Samford? Please share why.
Coach Ross Newton and Ben Ashford have had the biggest impact on my time at Samford. They both believed in me from the moment I got on campus and have provided me with numerous opportunities to showcase my abilities on and off the field during my time at Samford.
What are some of your major takeaways from your time as a Samford student-athlete so far?
I truly believe the amount of time and effort you put in is indicative of the results you get back. I have learned to keep my head down, work hard, and have faith. If I can do this I know that I will be rewarded in many different ways on and off the field.
How would your teammates describe you both on and off the field?
I think my teammates who describe me as someone who is always there for whatever they need and someone who is always wiling to be a leader on and off the field.
How can our donors be praying for you right now?
I think every athlete at Samford including myself would be grateful for prayers of health and safety during these uncertain times. No one has every experienced anything like what is going on in the world right now, but I promise you we are all doing the best we can to make the best out of the opportunities we have.
Let's talk about the spring. How does the loss of spring football impact the team this fall? How did everyone communicate as a team during that time? How did you stay in "football shape"?
Obviously not having spring football was not ideal. We welcomed in a new defensive staff in the spring so it was a challenge not being able to implement a new system during spring practice. As a team, we communicated each and everyday through different social media platforms. In many ways we actually got much closer as a team. The strength staff sent us a variety of creative at home workouts to do during the time away from campus. I also found a joy in running. I usually ran a few miles each day and I actually completed my first half marathon which was really exciting accomplishment.
What are some of the biggest differences so far during preseason camp, with all the COVID precautions being taken?
Honestly everything is different. The coaching and support staff has done an incredible job to make sure that the best health and safety precautions are in place. Each day brings a new challenge but also a new opportunity to get better. I think the hardest part of COVID so far is either working out in masks or having to wear masks in the building.
There are a lot of new coaches on staff, including a new Defensive Coordinator in Nick Benedetto. What has the transition been like on the defensive side of the ball?
Coach Benedetto has done an incredible job already in his short time at Samford. He brings a new energy to our football program each and every day. He really loves his job and it shows. We are fired up to have Coach Benedetto at Samford and I can't wait to see what we accomplish on the defensive side of the ball.
Last year was kind of a breakout season for you. You led the SoCon in total tackles and for a while were leading all of FCS. What was the biggest difference for you on the field that led to your success?
I think the biggest difference for me was just playing with confidence. I knew that my teammates and coaches believed in me so that gave me the confidence that I was in the right position to make plays. I try to give all I have each and every time I'm on the field.
What are some of your goals and expectations both personally and as a team in 2020?
I personally want to keep building on the year I had last year on the field, but I want to become the best leader I can possibly be. As a team I have very high expectations. We had the best offseason since I've been here, and we are going to approach each week as a new opportunity to showcase the talent we have. I have very high expectations for this season.
Final message from John:
"I think I speak for all Samford Athletes by saying this, but we would not be able to have the special experience as a Samford student athlete without the continued support from donors. Each donor provides us with such a special opportunity to live out our dream of playing at Samford. While we may not be able to thank everyone individually we do our best to say thank you with performances on the field and accomplishments off the field.Thank you and Go Dogs!!"
