UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – It was a quick trip around the perimeter of Penn State’s student section for Juwan Johnson, slapping hi fives and thanking those who stayed through Saturday night’s downpour to watch the Nittany Lions.
“These fans mean a lot,” the wide receiver said. “They didn’t have to come to the game. They’ve could’ve gone home and had their Thanksgiving break. Just having them come out here shows how much they love Penn State football and I had to show my appreciation.”
With a banner in the student section already with his name on it, chances are fans are going to have plenty of opportunities to cheer on the redshirt sophomore in the coming years. Johnson’s five catches for 105 yards against Nebraska marked the first time he’s eclipsed the 100-yard mark in his collegiate career and much to the delight of James Franklin, the 6-4, 226-pound receiver is starting to play with his size.
“The exciting thing about Juwan is I think he’s just going to continue to get better,” Franklin said. “He can run and now he’s breaking tackles and making one-handed catches. His catch radius is unbelievable. He’s a guy you can depend on.”
While Johnson was the darling of the offseason, he was the first to admit Saturday night that he didn’t come into this season with any expectations. He laughs and said he knows it sounds weird, but he also hasn’t been too tuned into his individual numbers for a long time. It wasn’t until a post-game radio interview in the locker room that Johnson even realized he had 100 yards.
“I know a lot of guys would kill for 100 yards and I’ve kind of been itching for it all year,” he said.
Johnson hit the milestone in style, breaking two tackles en route to a 43-yard reception and also snagging a ball out of the air with one hand. Despite the sloppy conditions, it didn’t impact Johnson’s performance and that was arguably what Johnson was most proud of.
After struggling during the Lions’ rainy defeat against Michigan State earlier this month, Johnson upped his work on wet ball drills during his post-practice workout sessions with DaeSean Hamilton and Mike Gesicki.
“I was really disappointed in my performance at Michigan State,” Johnson said. “I had some drops, had a touchdown I could’ve made that would’ve sealed the game, but you can’t have could’ve, should’ve, would’ve. I picked up from there and flipped the switch. … Just tried to put my head down and keep working.”
The work ethic has never been the problem for the former four-star recruit whose older brother played football at Rutgers and then in the NFL. He’s one of Johnson’s resources and Johnson quickly assimilated himself to the Lions’ group of hardest workers by hitting it off with Hamilton and Gesicki, making up the post-practice workout trio that catches tennis balls off the walls in the weight room and requested that the JUGs machine be brought over to their locker room to use before home games and even with them on road trips.
Johnson usually can be found 90 minutes before the game off in some stadium concourse taking rep after rep, sometimes in the not so spacious confines of away venues.
“I love to work,” he said, adding that he’ll need some new workout buddies with the senior receiver and tight end out of eligibility soon. “Whoever is willing to work will take their spots.”
As quarterback Tommy Stevens said, Johnson helps set the standard for the rest of the team. That’s why the big-bodied receiver who said he’s feeling more comfortable than ever on the field is trending upward after his five catch, 78-yard performance two weeks ago against Rutgers and then his milestone game against the Huskers.
Part of this season, whether Johnson realizes it or not, is the potential he’s flashed for years to come. While he won’t put any numbers on how many catches, yards or touchdowns he could post the rest of the way, he smiled when asked what his next step is in this offense. Much like his own expectations for this season, he’s not sure.
“That’s to be continued to be honest with you,” he said. “I finally realized how big I am and I'm actually just playing up to my size, playing the game how I should be playing. It feels good.”