Austin Johnson still in the league.

[LB99]

I didn’t realize he was with the Chargers. Just made a nice stop against the Cowboys. Good for him. Great PSU player. LJ Sr and Joe took a lot of internet flak for recruiting him and taking his commitment because he wasn’t really highly ranked in the recruiting circles, but they were right. He developed into a really good player. Six years in the NFL now.

 

[PSUFTG2]

Austin Johnson's recruitment may have begun under Paterno (I am sure it did), but he was one of the guys in OBrien's first signing class - and one of the better (more highly regarded) recruits in his class.

 

[LB99]

Austin Johnson's recruitment may have begun under Paterno (I am sure it did), but he was one of the guys in OBrien's first signing class - and one of the better (more highly regarded) recruits in his class.

He committed to PSU at camp under LJ and Joe. He was a 3 star and not very highly rated with his only offers from BC, Syracuse, Villanova, Rutgers and Tulane. Read the comments in the first article I posted. Our fan base was not overly joyed about his commitment.

Johnson commits on the spot

Penn State picked up a commitment on Saturday from Richland (N.J.) St. Augustine Prep lineman Austin Johnson.

247sports.com

 

[LB99]

Austin Johnson's recruitment may have begun under Paterno (I am sure it did), but he was one of the guys in OBrien's first signing class - and one of the better (more highly regarded) recruits in his class.

He did ultimately sign in the 2012 class for O’Brien after committing to Joe, but he was not one of the more highly regard recruits. He has far exceeded the ratings. Good for him.

Penn State 2012 Football Commits

Penn State

247sports.com

 

[JerseyLion]

And here's another lightly recruited D lineman who has managed to around the NFL even longer:

https://www.nfl.com/players/daquan-jones/stats/