Penn State Football recruiting: Tyler Johnson gives Nittany Lions potential deep-threat

Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin (Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports)
Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin (Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports) /
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James Franklin and Penn State Football added a marquee wide receiver to the Nittany Lions’ strong 2022 recruiting class, gaining a pledge from Tyler Johnson

Penn State Football’s 2022 class got better on Monday afternoon, when 3-star wide receiver Tyler Johnson joined the class.

Johnson is fresh off of an official visit to Penn State this past weekend.

Listed at 6-foot and 175 pounds, Johnson received his Penn State offer a month ago, so this one came together quick.

The Nittany Lions are hoping they found a diamond in the rough, similar to Drew Allar.

The Penn State Football staff targeted Johnson early, before he had a ranking or before any big time offers came in. Their due diligence has now paid off.

The Virginia native has amassed 17 offers, which include Purdue, Maryland, Virginia and Virginia Tech. 247 Sports ranks him as the 95th best wide receiver in the country. That ranking came in just this past week, so there’s definitely time for to move up, especially if he has a strong senior season this Fall.

Johnson’s recruitment got off to a late start because the state of Virginia played high school football in the Spring due to the pandemic. After having a successful season, in which he averaged 33 yards per catch, James Franklin and receiver’s coach Taylor Stubblefield made their move.

Stubblefield has put together an impressive haul in his second recruiting class at Penn State. Johnson will be joining Kaden Saunders, Anthony Ivey and Mehki Flowers. The trio are all considered top 20 receivers by 247 Sports, and Saunders may be on his way to five star status.

With the addition of Johnson, Penn State’s 2022 class now has 12 commits and ranks sixth nationally. Nine of the commits are on the offensive side of the ball.

Johnson is the first commit Penn State has received since visits opened back up at the beginning of June. Franklin is hoping Johnson is just the beginning of a successful Summer for the Nittany Lions.