Penn State hopeful to have TE Theo Johnson available vs. Ohio

Penn State’s tight end room — a source of confidence entering the season for James Franklin and his staff — was missing a key member in the opener. Theo Johnson, a breakout candidate this fall, traveled with the team but didn’t suit up against Purdue.

Franklin was “hopeful” Johnson would be able to give it a go, admitting at his Tuesday press conference that the decision wasn’t in his hands. Now, Franklin is eager to get the 6-foot-6, 260-pounder back into the fold.

“Everybody knows how much of a big-time player he is, how much respect we have for him both on and off the field,” Franklin said of the sophomore. “Hopefully we’re able to get him back sooner rather than later. And hopefully that’s this week.”

Realistically, the Nittany Lions shouldn’t have to rush Johnson back for Saturday’s home opener against Ohio with Penn State an early three-touchdown favorite. Brenton Strange and Tyler Warren offer enough juice for Sean Clifford and the offense, though it would be ideal to get Johnson reps before Penn State’s trip to Auburn.

The former top-100 prospect showed a flash of his heralded athleticism when the Nittany Lions hosted Auburn last season. He had a 37-yard catch, adding to what became a four-game streak with a catch of 20-plus yards. Johnson finished the 2021 campaign with 19 receptions for 213 yards and one touchdown, disappearing at times along with the position group as a collective.

Franklin was high on the tight ends throughout the offseason, and that confidence continued Tuesday. He complimented Strange on his 67-yard touchdown that shifted momentum Penn State’s way before halftime of the Nittany Lions’ 35-31 win, calling the catch-and-run a “combination of grit and toughness.”

“Being able to score from that far out, the thing that I thought was so amazing is how he was able to run 65 yards and the actual play took, like, four minutes. I think he wanted to magnify that moment and be on the camera as long as possible,” Franklin joked. “But at the end of the day, nobody caught him and he scored.”

Warren also had three catches for 23 yards, but glaringly dropped a dime from true freshman quarterback Drew Allar that would have been a big gain.

Franklin said the plan against Purdue was utilizing plenty of 12 (two tight ends) and 13 (three tight ends) personnel to help get the ground game going and present a different problem through the air. Not having Johnson forced offensive tackle Bryce Effner into action as a quasi-tight end.

The results weren’t exactly what Franklin wanted. Penn State’s tailbacks — Keyvone Lee, Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen — combined for 83 rushing yards on 26 attempts (3.2 yards per carry). The coach said the tight ends, as well as the offensive line, need to have more of a “physical presence” in the run game.

Perhaps Johnson, should he return for Saturday’s noon game against Ohio, could help provide that.