Jan Johnson, a former walk-on who won the starting middle linebacker job for Penn State over the summer, has received a football scholarship for his efforts.
Johnson, who also has been a member of the the Nittany Lion wrestling program, redshirted his freshman year and saw the field for the first time in 2016 against Michigan. After a string of injuries and ejections in that blowout loss, Johnson made his way into the mix at the Big House before suffering a season-ending ACL injury.
Can confirm PSU put starting middle LB Jan Johnson on scholarship. You know the story: Walked on, wrestled, ACL injury at The Big House, works way back and wins starting job.
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) October 19, 2018
The Mohnton, Pa., native appeared only occasionally in 2017 before taking on a starting role this season. Johnson has shown a lot of ability in the heart of the defense in stand-out performances against Appalachian State (when he recorded 11 tackles) and Ohio State.
Johnson is responsible for 34 total tackles and an interception thus far in 2018.
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