Penn State Football: 5 Bold Predictions for Nittany Lions in 2018

2. Juwan Johnson tops 1,200 yards receiving

Two of Trace McSorley’s favorite targets in 2017 were wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton and tight end Mike Gesicki. Both will now be playing on Sundays so McSorley will need other receivers to step up. Enter Juwan Johnson.

Johnson only had his first career touchdown last season, the game-winner at Iowa on the last play of the game. Many thought the score would jump start him to scoring more but it was his only score of the season. He did finish with 701 yards on 54 receptions. Over the final four games, he showed more consistency, tallying 22 of his 54 receptions.

Johnson stands at six-foot-four 229 pounds and can use his physical attributes to create mismatches against opposing defenses. Former offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead loved to spread the ball around and with Ricky Rahne taking over, the offensive philosophy should not change much. But Johnson is too good of a player to not keep finding ways to get him the ball.

Finding the end zone will be a little more in abundance this year along with Johnson topping the 1,200-yard mark. Stats like those should put him into All-America category and he could be in contention for other season awards.