Signed: Michael Johnson Jr.
WHAT HE DID: As a senior, Johnson threw for 1,707 yards with 19 touchdowns compared to only three interceptions. He also added, 1,177 yards on the ground and 16 more scores. That total included six games in which he ran for 100 yards or more. For his career, Johnson threw for 7,386 yards and 84 touchdowns. He only fumbled once between his junior and senior seasons.
WHAT HE WON: An Under-Armour All-America selection and Elite 11 Finalist, Johnson started all four seasons in high school, compiling a 38-11 record. He spent his first two at Kings Academy in Calif., before transferring to Sheldon in Eugene, Ore. in 2017. The Irish advanced to the OSAA Class 6A State Championship his senior year, but finished runner-up. Johnson was a member of USA Today's All-USA Oregon team in 2018. He's a three-star prospect and the 16th-ranked dual-threat quarterback in 2019.
WHERE HE VISITED: Johnson took official visits to Florida State, Miami and N.C. State, but Penn State became the team to beat following his official visit to State College in the beginning of June. He ended up committing on Aug. 1. Johnson totaled 32 scholarships offers. Other notable programs included Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Texas A&M and Washington.
QUOTABLE: “There’s one moment that really stands out to me when it comes to what really got me convinced that Penn State is the school for me. When I took my visit, we went out to hang with some of the players one night and Trace McSorley really took me under his wing. Trace was a counselor at the Elite 11 Finals, which I was at. I kind of got to talk to him a little bit out there, but when it comes to really getting to know him, that happened during my visit. He sat down with me that night and we talked about everything, whether it was his experience, Coach Franklin, Coach Rahne and bunch of other stuff. He really just told me the straight up truth. It really got me sold on Penn State. I also have to mention Sean Clifford, too. He did a lot of the same for me that weekend. Basically, that’s when I was sold. That’s when I saw that it really is family down there.”