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QB Michael Johnson Jr. previews Penn State official visit

Penn State will host one of the nation’s top dual-threat quarterbacks this weekend in four-star prospect Michael Johnson Jr.

A member of the Rivals250, Johnson currently resides in Eugene, Ore., as his father, Michael Johnson Sr., is the wide receiver coach at the University of Oregon. While Saturday’s official visit will be his first opportunity to check out Penn State and the surrounding area, his relationship with the Nittany Lion coaching staff goes back to last summer.

Johnson will be visiting Penn State for the first time this weekend.
Johnson will be visiting Penn State for the first time this weekend.
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“It started with Joe Moorhead last summer,” Johnson said. “Right from the start, he made it clear that they were very interested in me, but that they wanted to make sure I was serious about them before they offered. Basically, he just wanted me to visit before they officially offered. So, we ended up talking a bunch throughout the summer, but once the season came around, I believe it was around the 16th of September, I let him know that it was going to be difficult for me to visit before the end of the season.

“But I kept telling him that I was serious about them because I genuinely did want an offer from them. So, I think once he really understood that, that’s when he talked to Coach [James] Franklin about me. Later that day, I ended up talking to them again and I had my offer. That was big.”

Of course, Moorhead ended up leaving Penn State to become the new head coach at Mississippi State at the end of November. New Nittany Lion offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne picked up right where Moorhead left off, however. Two months later, Franklin added another member to his staff that Johnson and his family had close ties to.

“Once Coach Moorhead left, I started talking to Coach Rahne a lot. That’s been great. I really like Coach Rahne,” said Johnson. “But I’m also close with Coach [Ja’Juan] Seider. Coach Seider and my dad go way back. He was actually drafted by the Chargers when my dad was there, so I’ve always had a close relationship with Coach Seider. He’s like family. He knows my dad real well.

“So, between Coach Rahne and Coach Seider and also my talks with Coach Franklin, it’s been fun getting to know them. Coach Seider has always been real with me about stuff. I remember one time [Seider] was saying to me that, if he thought Penn State wasn’t the right place for me, he would be honest with me because of the respect he has for my family. But really, he thought the exact opposite. He was saying that this is the perfect place for me and that something special is happening there and that I’m ideal for their system. All of those talks with him and Coach Rahne and Coach Franklin have only made me more interested in Penn State.”

Last month, Rahne flew out to Oregon came to watch Johnson workout during the spring evaluation period. That’s when he began planning for an official visit to Happy Valley.

“When Coach Rahne came out to see me during the spring evaluation period in May, that’s when I told him right then and there, ‘which date do you want me to come see you? Just pick a date and I’ll be there for an official visit,’” Johnson said.

“So, we ended up setting it for this weekend, which will be big. It’s my first official visit and it’s an important visit for me. This is a school I have a lot of interest in.”

Along with his mother, Johnson will be arriving in State College Friday evening and will stay in town until Sunday morning. He said that he’s looking forward to seeing the atmosphere around campus.

“There’s a lot that I want to see,” he said. “From the football side of everything to the campus, that’s all important. I’d love to get a feel for the atmosphere around the place. I’ve heard the atmosphere at Penn State is crazy. Obviously, there’s no game or anything like that this weekend, but it’ll still be good to see the atmosphere around the area and meet the people, meet the coaches.”

In the beginning of May, Johnson announced that he was down to seven schools: Penn State, Arizona State, LSU, Miami, Nebraska, N.C. State and Oregon. However, a few of those programs have since added quarterbacks and are expected to take just one signal-caller in 2019.

“I feel like it’s basically down to a top five now,” said Johnson. “Oregon got a quarterback and Nebraska got a quarterback. Out of the five remaining schools, I have seen Miami and Arizona State, but I haven’t seen N.C. State or LSU. Obviously, I’m going to Penn State now this upcoming weekend. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to visit the other two schools.”

So, when is he hoping to have a decision made?

“My goal is to get this all done before my season, but if I’m not ready then I won’t. When I know what I want to do, I’ll decide.

Over the past three seasons, Johnson has totaled 5,565 yards passing while adding another 1,878 yards rushing. He’s totaled 97 offensive touchdowns and has thrown just 15 interceptions. Johnson is currently ranked No. 122 overall and is the fourth-ranked dual-threat passer in the Class of 2019.

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