Penn State's First Good News of 2009

First Penn State loses the Rose Bowl (not to mention injuries to Stephfon Green, out for 3-4 months, and Evan Royster).

Then Larry Johnson, Sr. is rumored to be in the running for the Illinois defensive coordinator position. That is later confirmed. Johnson interviews and spend some days in Champagne, IL.

Aaron Maybin declares for the draft. The All-American amassed 49 tackles - 20 for loss - and led the Big Ten with 12 sacks as a redshirt sophomore. Despite rumblings that Maybin wasn't completely sure, he did eventually declare at his former high school.

After losing one DE, the Nittany Lions lost another. Maurice Evans, the junior that had an amazing 2007 season, declared while people were lost wondering if Maybin was set on the NFL.

Finally, Penn State has gotten some good news. And it relates back to the 2nd bad thing.

Larry Johnson, Sr., the dynamic recruiter and defensive line coach, has spurned Ron Zook and Illinois and will remain on staff at Penn State. David Jones of The Patriot News broke the story. We are awaiting more details. It is almost a given the LJSR was given a raise and/or new title (perhaps defensive coordinator-in-waiting?).

From David Jones via Penn Live:

PSU football's prime recruiter and one of its best teaching assistants has, after a lengthy and serious flirtation with Illinois, decided to stay at Penn State, according to dependable sources within the university. Larry Johnson, who has recruited 11 of the 23 commitments on Penn State's docket for signing letters of intent next month, has spurned a lucrative offer from Ron Zook and decided Penn State is where he belongs.

Larry Johnson, who has recruited 11 of the 23 commitments on Penn State's docket for signing letters of intent next month, has spurned a lucrative offer from Ron Zook and decided Penn State is where he belongs.

Hallelujah! This would have been a huge loss, possibly greater than Maybin and Evans leaving. The great recruiter still controls Larryland, er, I mean Maryland.

UPDATE: David Jones has a great piece today about the LJSR saga.