LSU Star Flau'jae Johnson Stays Loyal, Inspires Teammates

While most college athletes chase bigger opportunities at different schools, Flau'jae Johnson chose something harder: staying put and growing where she was planted.

Johnson committed to LSU over four years ago and never left. In today's college sports world, where players switch teams as easily as changing jerseys, that decision makes her a rare breed. She loved the school so much that when her pet bearded dragon Four (named after her jersey number) died, she buried him on the Baton Rouge campus.

This Friday marks her final game in an LSU jersey as the second-seeded Tigers face Jacksonville in the NCAA Tournament first round. True to form, Johnson plans to bring her other bearded dragon, Champ, along for the ride. While most teammates avoid the reptile, her close friend Izzy Besselman once got pranked when she opened what she thought was an empty basket only to find Champ inside.

Johnson's commitment extends far beyond staying at one school. The recording artist signed to Roc Nation wakes up early to watch game film with her coach, fits in extra workouts, and manages partnerships with multiple brands. She's also secured an NIL deal with Unrivaled, a women's 3-on-3 league she'll join after graduation.

Her teammate Besselman sees the impact daily. "Seeing how hard she works motivates me and everybody else in this locker room," Besselman told Yahoo Sports. "It's a good person to look up to."

Why This Inspires

Johnson openly admits she took the harder path. "It could be easier to go into the transfer portal, go to a team with a terrible record and average 30," she said. Instead, she chose to play alongside All-Americans under tough coach Kim Mulkey, who's known for her demanding "tough love" style but has delivered four national championships.

Mulkey praised Johnson not just for her athletic ability or philanthropy, but for something increasingly precious in college sports: commitment. "When you think of college athletics now, people don't do it anymore," Mulkey said on senior night. "She loves LSU, and, in return, LSU embraced her and loved her back."

Johnson will graduate this year, becoming LSU's first McDonald's All-American signed under Mulkey's tenure and proving that loyalty still has a place in modern college athletics.