2025 CB with multiple predictions to Penn State football commits elsewhere

James Franklin and Penn State football suffered a blow in the 2025 recruiting cycle Friday, missing on Ironton, Ohio, cornerback Josh Johnson, who committed to Louisville. The decision is the latest in a string of setbacks for the Nittany Lions on the recruiting trail this week.

All signs pointed to Johnson joining the Nittany Lions’ 2025 recruiting class coming out of his official visit on June 7-9. As he was leaving Happy Valley, the three-star cornerback received crystal balls from 247Sports’ Allen Trieu and Tyler Calvaruso, as well as a prediction in On3’s RPM from Ryan Snyder.

However, Johnson evidently reserved course over the course of the week, committing to Louisville on Friday evening. 

“After talking with my family and coaches, I’m extremely blessed and thankful to announce my commitment to the University of Louisville,” Johnson wrote on social media Friday. The three-star prospect had visited with the Cardinals in May.

After talking with my family and coaches, I’m extremely blessed and thankful to announce my commitment to the University of Louisville!! Go Cards!! 🔴⚫️@JeffBrohm @Brohm_Brady @CoachSteveEllis @CoachRonEnglish @TMossbrucker @JerrodPendleton @FootballIronton @PendletonTrevon pic.twitter.com/fubnFeOhz0

— Joshua Johnson (@Josh_Makai9) June 14, 2024

Josh Johnson is the No. 36 cornerback and the No. 15 prospect in Ohio per On3’s 2025 recruiting rankings. In addition to the Nittany Lions, Johnson chose Louisville over Iowa and Arkansas. 

A difficult week on the trail for Penn State football

Josh Johnson’s commitment is one of several to go against Penn State football in the 2025 recruiting cycle this week.

Legacy offensive line prospect Michael Carroll committed to Alabama on Monday, followed by offensive tackle Ziyare Addison, who joined Oregon’s class on Tuesday.

Tennessee landed defensive end Jayden Loftin on Thursday, while a pair of Big Ten rivals made critical moves on Friday. Ohio State nabbed top New Jersey wide receiver Quincy Porter, while Michigan secured DC safety Kainoa Winston, cousin of Nittany Lions defender KJ Winston.

Resetting 2025 defensive back class for the Nittany Lions

Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Without Josh Johnson, the defensive back class for James Franklin and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith in the 2025 recruiting cycle remains at two.

The first to join the class was Pittsburgh Central Catholic’s Xxaiver Thomas, who committed on December 21. Currently a three-star and On3’s ninth-ranked prospect in Pennsylvania for the 2025 cycle, the future Nittany Lion is the brother of Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney Thomas.

More recently, Mater Dei (California) corner Daryus Dixson made his pledge to Franklin, Smith, and Penn State on June 10. Falling inside the top 100 of 247Sports’ 2025 rankings, Dixson is now the highest-ranked commit in the Nittany Lions’ class. He is also Penn State’s highest-ranked cornerback recruit since Lamont Wade in the 2017 cycle.

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