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Penn State football CB Donovan Johnson ‘not pleased’ with where he’s at

By Justin Grasso

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Cornerback Donovan Johnson #3 and cornerback Zech McPhearson #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walk out to the field for the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Cornerback Donovan Johnson #3 and cornerback Zech McPhearson #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walk out to the field for the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Penn State football cornerback Donovan Johnson is not off to the best start for his Sophomore season.

There have been some offseason issues for the Penn State football program this summer. As we found out a couple of months ago, Nittany Lions’ defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, and running back Journey Brown were suspended from the team for violating team rules.

Both of those guys served their punishment over the summer and were able to get back out on the field in time for training camp. However, they weren’t the only two players to violate team rules this summer. Cornerback Donovan Johnson has found himself in a similar situation.

Except for this time, Johnson will miss more than just some offseason workouts. This Saturday, when the Lions open up the season against Idaho, they will be without their presumed third-string cornerback, Donovan Johnson. Why’s that? Well, Penn State head coach James Franklin did not specify, but Johnson has violated team rules. Therefore, he is suspended for the first game.

Even before the suspension though, Johnson wasn’t exactly happy about his progress so far this offseason. As he gets ready to play his Sophomore season, Johnson was working on winning the third spot on the depth chart, playing nickel for the Lions this season.

Unfortunately, it’s been a tight race between Johnson, and freshman’s Trent Gordon and Keaton Ellis. According to Lions 247, Ellis has received ‘rave reviews’ this offseason from his coaches. Johnson, on the other hand, is headed towards an uphill battle for himself.

Not only does the suspension give Johnson one less game to prove himself, but his offseason didn’t really convince the Lions that he’s the ‘chosen one’ to be the first option for the nickel either. After seeing the official depth chart release, Johnson made it clear that he wasn’t thrilled with the outcome of his offseason.

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“Right now I’m not pleased where I’m at on a depth chart,” Johnson told Lions 247. “I’m trying to work harder, work myself up the depth chart, and then hopefully get on the field and just show everybody what I can do.”

Johnson’s debut will hold off until next week when the Lions host Buffalo at Beaver Stadium. Franklin still remains pleased with Johnson’s progress, but he still has a lot left to prove on the field — and his third spot is not guaranteed beyond this week.

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