This is one in a series of stories breaking down each of the players on Penn State Football’s 2026 roster.
Penn State cornerback Joshua Johnson is one of 12 players in a packed position group, and the Nittany Lions’ history of excellence at the position means it could be a year or two before he steps into a major role. Even so, he managed to get on the field for three games during his true freshman season, and his lanky frame and nose for the football could help him develop into a star as his career goes on.
An underrated aspect of Johnson’s game is the intelligence he brings to the table. Planning to major in engineering and already thinking of his career after football, Johnson isn’t your average three-star recruit. If he can apply that classroom intelligence to his preparation on the gridiron, Johnson could turn into a legitimately dangerous threat for opposing quarterbacks.
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 189 pounds
Hometown: Ironton, Ohio
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.High School Career: Joshua Johnson intercepted two passes and broke up 11 more during his senior year of high school, earning a consensus three-star rating as a recruit. He also proved adept at stopping ball carriers and stepping up in support of the run game, amassing 51 tackles across 14 games played.
PENN STATE
Where he stands: Johnson took a redshirt year during his first season with Penn State, recording one tackle across three games played. He stuck with the Nittany Lions through their coaching change and could be one of the smartest players on the roster, intending to major in engineering.
Penn State has a crowded cornerback room, listing 12 players at the position, and seniors like Audavion Collins and Zion Tracy should have the inside edge to start. Nevertheless, Johnson could begin to establish his Division I bona fides with his performance on special teams and as a reserve this season.
A quote by Johnson: “Really, going back to the beginning, when they first started recruiting me, they were trying to build a different kind of relationship with me. They took their time through every aspect of this whole process. They really built our relationship all around family. Now, seeing how they’ve stayed on me and continued to stress that family atmosphere and what it can do for me, I do believe that’s the best place for me.” — Johnson on Penn State, via On3Sports.
