Ex-Penn State football QB enters the transfer portal

Originally posted on Basic Blues Nation
By Morgan Chapman | Last updated 4/27/24

The transfer portal has created opportunities for players to seek more chances to find new homes. Several Penn State football players over the years have chosen to take this route and have developed at their next destination. Now, former Nittany Lion QB Michael Johnson Jr., who has spent the last few seasons at FAU, has re-entered the transfer portal searching for his third college home.

Ex-Penn State football QB enters the transfer portal

Michael Johnson Jr. was a three-star quarterback prospect in the 2019 recruiting class. The Eugene, Oregon native committed to Penn State in August of 2018. He spent the 2019 season with the Nittany Lions and registered no playing time. Then, following the 2019 season in an offseason of uncertainty, Johnson Jr. entered the transfer portal in June of 2020.

Shortly after, he found his next home with FAU where he committed in December of 2020. Johnson Jr. has spent the past several seasons with the Owls. 2023 was his most productive season; although he didn’t complete a pass, he rushed for 140 yards and 7 touchdowns. On Wednesday, Mike Farrell reported that Johnson Jr. announced that he would enter the transfer portal seeking his next opportunity and choosing to leave FAU.

FAU QB Michael Johnson Jr, who transferred in from Penn State, re-entered the portal as a grad transfer @m_johnsonjr1 pic.twitter.com/Jo4I5MVg4C

— FarrellPortal (@farrellportal) April 24, 2024

Transfer portal tracker for Penn State

The Penn State football team has lost three players during the spring window to the transfer portal this offseason. The biggest name was wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith who entered the transfer portal on April 15th. Then, on Wednesday he made his commitment to Auburn to play his final season.

Malick Meiga shortly followed Lambert-Smith. The fellow Penn State receiver decided to enter the portal on April 16th. While his role was primarily on special teams with Penn State, Meiga continues to search for a larger role on offense.

Then, on Friday defensive lineman Davon Townley entered the transfer portal. This was the second time he had entered the portal, doing so in December 2022 as well. However, Townley decided to return to Penn State for the 2023 season and now searches for his next home.

This article first appeared on Basic Blues Nation and was syndicated with permission.

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