Penn State DT Austin Johnson declares for NFL Draft

The Penn State Nittany Lions have been trying to get back into the college football prominence and they have done a terrific job of working their way back into that especially on the defensive side of the ball. The team will have to work their way back into the premiere of football without one of their best players along the defensive line.

After the team’s 24-17 loss to Georgia in the TaxSlayer Bowl on Saturday, Nittany Lion defensive tackle Austin Johnson announced his intentions to go to the NFL Draft. ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg broke the news via Twitter and Johnson was the second Nittany Lion to declare for the Draft on Saturday, joining quarterback Christian Hackenberg.

Johnson has been one of the best defensive linemen in the Big Ten this season. He recorded 78 tackles, 15 for loss, and 6.5 sacks this year.

With the emergence of defensive players like Carl Nassib and Johnson the last few years, the Nittany Lions certainly have set the tone for a resurgence for the defense the next few years.

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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports

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