St. Augustine lineman chooses Penn State

Austin Johnson didn't take long to make his college decision. The 6-foot-5, 280-pound two-way lineman from St. Augustine Prep was offered a football scholarship over the weekend to Penn State and accepted it on the spot.

Johnson was attending a Penn State football camp, and he didn't need a sales pitch from the Nittany Lions to make an oral commitment.

"I have liked Penn State since I was young, and once I got the Penn State offer I was going to take it," Johnson said Sunday in a telephone interview.

Johnson said he also considered offers from Rutgers and Boston College.

An honorable mention all-Cape Atlantic League selection, Johnson said he was recruited to play defense. He was a starter on the St. Augustine basketball team that won the NJSIAA Non-Public A state championship last season.

Johnson became the second South Jersey senior-to-be to make an oral commitment to Penn State. In the spring, West Deptford offensive lineman Jamil Pollard also committed to the Nittany Lions.

A high school football recruit cannot sign a letter of intent until Feb. 1.

Penn State was familiar with St. Augustine; it is also the alma mater of Nittany Lions defensive end Jack Crawford.

"I am excited about having the opportunity to go to Penn State," said Johnson, a resident of Galloway, Atlantic County. "It's my dream school."