TAMPA, FL. — For Lexi Johns, wearing cleats is as second nature as breathing. She’s been lacing them up for a long time, ever since she was 5 years old.

“My dad put me into it when I was 5,” said Johns, sitting in the University of South Florida dugout. “T-ball to mod-tee to coach-pitch and all the way up.

When Johns walks on to the field in those cleats, she’s dangerous — she has gotten good at stealing second, third and home. In fact, she’s the best base-stealer in the nation.

“I just love stealing,” said Johns. “I figure everyone knows by now, and even my teammates tell me that once I get on first, it’s almost like an automatic double."

It’s not just about being fast — Johns studies every angle as she tries to perfect the art of the steal.

“I’m just here, ready to push off," she said, demonstrating her strategy from first base. "I’m watching the pitcher, timing her."

The Sarasota native has taken her game to a new level since transferring to USF from Florida International University a season ago. She’s become a major weapon for head coach Ken Eriksen.

“When I used to go watch the dogs run, the rabbit would go out and everybody is trying to catch her,” said Eriksen. “She’s our rabbit right there. She gives you a different dimension because she puts fear in the defense.”

Eriksen doesn’t view Johns as just a base-stealer, he sees her as a true triple-threat.

“As soon as she walks to the plate, it’s like, ‘Oh my God, how do I stop this guy?’ because not only can she drop down a bunt for a hit, but she can also hit the ball into the outfield pretty hard,” Eriksen said.

While Johns is an all-around player, it all comes back to that gift of speed. She recently tied USF’s single season mark of 38 stolen bases and will likely break that record this weekend.

“Being able to break that record makes me feel accomplished when I leave here,” said Johns.

The focus for Johns isn’t on a record or her season total — it’s all about the next base and the next opportunity. That’s something her head coach admires most about her.

“Her mindset is ‘go-go-go’ and she plays the game in fifth gear, but under control,” said Eriksen. “It’s special stuff and we haven’t had many like that.”

Johns plays in fast forward when she’s on the bases. She says it's all about helping her team, and she does so by truly embracing a core motto of USF Athletics by going "BULL SPEED AHEAD."