Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/410663
Penn State assistant coach Ricky Rahne has focused on high school juniors and seniors as he seeks Penn State's next top quarterback recruit, but sophomore Hunter Johnson of Brownsburg, Ind., isn't far behind. Since working out with the staff at camp in July, the Class of 2017 prospect has been in contact with Rahne, and that relation- ship led to a scholarshiop offer in mid- September. Johnson was on hand for Penn State's game against Maryland, putting the Nittany Lions in good position early on. "We mainly were in town for just the day," Johnson said. "We drove up the night before and stayed at a hotel about two hours outside of town. We drove up early in the morning then and got there maybe three or four hours before the game. I got to meet with Coach Rahne then before the game when we were eat- ing our meal. "He sat with us at our table and we talked with him for a little while. I talked to James Franklin then before the game, too. They had me walk out and talk to him toward the 50-yard line when they were out on the field. He was asking me what I thought of all of this, and I told him I thought it was pretty incredible, especially the fan base. Just the atmosphere overall was really, re- ally cool." Penn State hasn't been the only program to take notice of Johnson. Kentucky, Pur- due and Tennessee have already extended offers, and several other top programs are beginning to show interest. "I think there are a couple schools that have stepped up interest recently," John- son said. "North Carolina is one I might try to take a visit to at some point. I've talked to Ole Miss. I'm probably going to start talking to them every one or two weeks. Also, Georgia. I've been talking with them quite a bit, too, along with Notre Dame." Working in Penn State's favor is the fact that Johnson has already developed a strong rapport with both Rahne and Franklin. "I think me and Coach Rahne have de- veloped a really good relationship. I try to call him every one or two weeks," Johnson said. "I think we've developed a great re- lationship over that time. I feel really good talking to him. I think it's really been great getting to know not just him, but also Coach Franklin. "One thing I also really liked about this weekend was where I got to sit. I think I was in the second row, right behind the bench, so sitting there so close really al- lowed me to see Coach Franklin interact with his guys. It was nice seeing how he encourages his guys. I think I got a good feel for his [coaching style]." In addition to Penn State, Johnson has checked out Tennessee this season and has paid two visits to Kentucky. He should be on the road these next two weeks as well. "I know I'm going to Notre Dame when they play Northwestern," he said, referring to the Nov. 15 matchup between the Irish and Wildcats. "This weekend I might go to either Michigan State or Northwestern. My brother [Cole Johnson] plays at North- western, so I usually try to get to his games, but I may also check out Michigan State, too. We haven't completely decided on what game yet." Although he may be listed as a pro-style quarterback, the 6-foot-2, 187-pounder has also posted a 4.6-second 40-yard dash to go along with his 35-inch vertical leap. Johnson won't receive a ranking from Ri- vals.com until next year, but he is likely to be listed as a four-star prospect and one of the top five QBs in the Class of 2017. PENN STATE RADIO NETWORK WAEB............. 790-AM....... Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton WVAM............ 1430-AM....................................... Altoona WRKY............. 104.9-FM............... Altoona/Hollidaysburg WILK.............. 103.1-FM.........................................Avoca WAYC............. 1600-AM.......................................Bedford WAYC............. 100.9-FM......................................Bedford WBYB............. 103.9-FM.....................................Bradford WCPA............. 900-AM...................................... Clearfield WQYX............. 93.1-FM..................................... Clearfield WZDB.............95.9-FM........................ DuBois/Sykesville WHGL............ 102.9-FM................................ Elmira, N.Y. WPSE............. 1450-AM.............................................Erie WFRA............. 1450-AM...................................... Franklin WGET............. 1320-AM.................................. Gettysburg WJEJ.............. 1240-AM.Hagerstown, Md./Chambersburg Sports Radio..1400-AM...................................Harrisburg Sports Radio..95.3-FM.................................... Harrisburg WKZN............ 1300-AM..................................... Hazleton WLAK............. 103.5-FM................................ Huntingdon WNTJ............. 1490-AM...................................Johnstown WBYB............. 103.9-FM.......................................... Kane WLPA............. 1490-AM....................................Lancaster WNPV.............1440-AM.....................................Lansdale WLBR............. 1270-AM..................................... Lebanon WMRF............ 95.7-FM.................................... Lewistown WMGW...........1490-AM....................................Meadville WJST.............. 1280-AM.....................New Castle/Sharon WVNJ............. 1160-AM.......................... New York Metro WNTP............. 990-AM..................................Philadelphia KQV............... 1410-AM................................... Pittsburgh WAVT..............101.9-FM.................................... Pottsville WPPA............. 1360-AM.....................................Pottsville WRAW............ 1340-AM...................................... Reading WBZU.............910-AM....................................... Scranton WBYB............. 103.9-FM................................. Smethport WQWK............1450-AM.............................. State College WBUS.............93.7-FM................................State College WZDD............ 101.3-FM....................Stratonville/Clarion WKOK............ 1070-AM...................................... Sunbury WLLI.............. 990-AM...................................... Somerset WTIV.............. 1230-AM..................................... Titusville WHGL.............100.3-FM............................... Troy/Canton WTRN.............1340-AM......................................... Tyrone WTRN.............100.7-FM........................................ Tyrone WNBT............. 104.5-FM...................................Wellsboro WNBQ............ 92.3-FM....................Wellsboro/Mansfield WILK.............. 980-AM................................. Wilkes-Barre WKSB.............102.7-FM.............................. Williamsport WSBA............. 910-AM.............................................. York WJST.............. 1280-AM........................Youngstown, Ohio N O V E M B E R 5 , 2 0 1 4 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 9 Sophomore quarterback piques Penn State's interest R E C R U I T I N G R y A N S N y D E R | B L U E W H I T E I L L U S T R A T E D Johnson has already received scholarship offer