Over the weekend, Kenny Johnson experienced one of the biggest moments of his young athletic career.
While on an unofficial visit to Penn State for their primetime game against Indiana, the junior wide receiver got word from James Franklin that he earned an offer from Penn State.
Very excited to announce that I have earned my 3rd offer from Penn State University‼️🦁 @coachjfranklin pic.twitter.com/CSalSqVEVI
— Kenny Johnson (@Kennyjohnson05) October 3, 2021
To have received his first Power Five offer from a program like Penn State left Johnson in disbelief.
”I’ve always wanted to play college football but to receive an opportunity to play on that big of a stage, it’s just amazing. Being there for their ‘Stripe Out’ Game with over 105,000 people there and imaging that I could possibly be there playing in front of that, an offer like that carries a little more weight.”
”I was more shocked than anything just because of the way it happened. I haven’t gotten an offer face-to-face yet so this was very different and a lot more exciting and shocking than getting one over the phone.”
Making the experience more memorable was the fact that Johnson received the news from the CEO of the Nittany Lions football program.
”Coach Franklin and I were just talking and was saying that we should keep the special players from PA in PA and we want to do that with you and offer you a full scholarship,” said Johnson. “As soon as I got the news, I texted my family and specifically my mom first. I just had a blank face and then was just smiling, I really didn’t know what to say. I was just shocked and amazed.”
Johnson is a 6-foot-2, 190 pound receiver from Dallastown Area High School in Dallastown, Pennsylvania. NSN asked him the strengths of his game and reasons he’s receiving this major interest.
Junior year Midseason ‼️https://t.co/vh1wUn0ey0
— Kenny Johnson (@Kennyjohnson05) September 25, 2021
“I’d say my ball skills and my ability to go up and get the ball in the air. I also consider myself a very good route runner. I do need to work on my speed a little bit. My speed is a little lacking but my game speed is a lot different.”
Recent work 📶 pic.twitter.com/MCbv4G45E5
— Kenny Johnson (@Kennyjohnson05) July 29, 2021
Along with Penn State, Johnson also holds offers from Temple and Toledo plus is receiving interest from Pitt, West Virginia and Virginia Tech.
”I will say though that Penn State is a very special offer.”
