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Five-Star Recruit Dorian Johnson Commits To Play Football At Penn State

In just six months on the job, Bill O'Brien has landed his first big time recruit as head coach of the Penn State football program.

By Bryan Crawford
April 21, 2012; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Bill O'Brien on the sidelines during the spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Christy-US PRESSWIRE
April 21, 2012; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Bill O'Brien on the sidelines during the spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Christy-US PRESSWIRE

In the wake of everything that's transpired around the Penn State football program, five-star offensive tackle Dorian Johnson has committed to play his college football in Happy Valley. The signing of Johnson is not only huge for the program, but also for new head coach Bill O'Brien.

O'Brien was named as the successor to the late Joe Paterno on January 7. So getting a commitment from such a big time prospect in just six months on the job is pretty impressive.

As for Johnson, he comes to Penn State after having a number of big schools on his list, including Alabama, Notre Dame and Ohio State. The fact that he's from Belle Vernon, Pa., which is just three hours away from Penn State, may have played a part in his decision.

But whatever the reason, it's good to talk about actual football once again with regard to the Nittany Lions.

For more on Nittany Lions football, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries.

Photographs by dizfunk used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.