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Penn State Football 2018: Three Nittany Lions to Watch Against Illinois

By Corey Hunter

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 05: Tommy Stevens #2 of the Penn State Nittany Lions is congratulated after his touchdown run by Trace McSorley #9 and Irvin Charles #11 during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes on November 5, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Iowa 41-14. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 05: Tommy Stevens #2 of the Penn State Nittany Lions is congratulated after his touchdown run by Trace McSorley #9 and Irvin Charles #11 during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes on November 5, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Iowa 41-14. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – NOVEMBER 18: Juwan Johnson #84 of the Penn State Nittany Lions makes a first-down reception during the second quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on November 18, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – NOVEMBER 18: Juwan Johnson #84 of the Penn State Nittany Lions makes a first-down reception during the second quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on November 18, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Wide Receiver – Juwan Johnson

Juwan Johnson, it seems, has either been on our Studs and Duds list, or he has been A Player to Watch nearly every week.  That’s because he is a player with NFL-type skills and supreme talent and we are waiting for him to break out.  For whatever reason so far, he has had trouble connecting with quarterback Trace McSorley, as well as simply catching the ball.

It seems hard to believe, but Johnson has hauled in a team-leading eight passes so far, but he has managed a meager 90 yards and no touchdowns.  What’s more is Johnson’s uncharacteristic penchant for dropping the ball of late.  By my count, he has had at least one dropped pass in each of the first two games.  Last week against Kent State, Johnson did not even have a reception.

While I was surprised to not see Johnson really involved in the offensive game plan last week, I will be even more shocked to see him shut out this week.  Illinois ranks next to the bottom in pass defense, allowing an average of 325.3 yards per game.  I fully expect Penn State to be taking advantage of this by throwing early and often.  This could be the game that provides Johnson with the confidence he needs to return to the elite receiver status everyone knows he has in him.

Watch to see how Trace McSorley tries to target Johnson in the passing game Friday night.  Having another key target in KJ Hamler may help Johnson by rolling some of the coverage away from him.

Let’s see if he can take advantage against a porous pass defense.

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