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ticular played major parts in his decision. "One was all the guys already there," he said, referring to Penn State's current roster. "I became really comfortable with the guys on the team. The relationships I had with those guys were the best that I formed at any school." The other factor was something that became apparent when he attended the Lasch Bash barbeque last summer. "When I was at the Lasch Bash, I remem- ber people watching the coaches. I watched everyone, and just seeing how the coaches meshed with the players that were hanging out with us that day, I'll never forget that," Johnson said. "It didn't feel like a player-coach relationship at all. Honestly, there are so many schools that push and play the family atmosphere card. You see it everywhere, but that was when I truly got the feeling that Penn State's atmosphere really is di7erent than most other schools. You could tell that there was more holding this group to- gether than just football." Even with the addition of Johnson, the Nittany Lions were expected to sign just 27 players during the early signing period, which began on Dec. 18. That was because two previously committed players opened up their recruitment in early December. Just a few days prior to Johnson's an- nouncement, safety Elijah Gaines posted on Twitter that he had decided to look elsewhere. Gaines, who grew up in New York but currently attends Episcopal High in Alexandria, Va., hasn't publicly com- mented on the situation. He was expected to visit other schools in January, then decide in February. And in a move that no one saw coming, Paramus (N.J.) Catholic o7ensive lineman Devin Willock announced on Dec. 12 that he, too, was opening up his recruitment. A three- star prospect, Willock went on to an- nounce his commitment to Georgia on Dec. 15. He had visited the Bulldogs in the summer, but he never had a true o7er from Kirby Smart and his sta7 until the week before the December signing pe- riod. That was enough for Willock to switch his commitment. As of Dec. 15, Penn State's Class of 2020 was 13th in the nation in the Rivals Team Rankings. With 2,132 total points, the class was just one point behind Oklahoma and Oregon. The Ducks and Sooners were tied for 11th overall with 2,133 points. However, it should be noted that multiple schools that were below the Nittany MARYLAND STANDOUT Heading into the De- cember signing period, Jacobs was the high- est-rated recruit in Penn State's class, coming in 77th in the Rivals250. Photo by Ryan Snyder N O T I C E T O S U B S C R I B E R S The advent of an early signing period for college football has changed the re- cruiting calendar in dramatic ways. At BWI, we are adapting to that change by supplementing our February recruiting magazine with additional coverage of the December signing period. While our Cotton Bowl preview magazine went to press before the start of the signing period, subscribers will receive an email de- tailing Penn State's signings. The Class of 2020 magazine will mail in February when the Lions have completed their recruiting efforts for the year. BWI to provide recap of early signing period

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