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Penn State DT Austin Johnson mum on NFL Draft

By Audrey Snyder/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 8 years ago

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Defensive tackle Austin Johnson smiled and said he’s focused on closing out the season in the best way possible to send the seniors out on a high note. 

Of course the Lions’ junior defensive tackle could also be coming down the homestretch of his own collegiate career, one where his production this season helped skyrocket his NFL Draft stock where if he would choose to declare he’s been ranked among the top-five tackles in the country by CBS Sports and could be a first or second-round pick. At 6-3, 325 lbs. with a rare combination of strength and speed to match, Johnson will likely project ahead of senior line mate Anthony Zettel, who moved inside from defensive end last season and will likely have questions to answer about his size during the NFL Draft process. 

“I really don't pay that much attention to it,” Johnson said of his draft potential. “My mom has kind of the Google alert. She puts my name and has a Google alert, so that's pretty funny. She sends me stuff, I look at it, and just kind of keep on going on about my day. It's about this team. This is where I am right now. Yeah, it's just about this team and making this year for the seniors good just by winning this game.”

Last week junior QB Christian Hackenberg, a projected early-round draft pick, said he too wasn’t thinking past the end of the season.

Audrey Snyder: asnyder@post-gazette.com and Twitter @audsnyder4.