2020 four-star TE Theo Johnson commits to Penn State over Michigan, others

Michigan’s top tight end target in the 2020 class is off the board, as four-star Theo Johnson announced Monday afternoon his verbal commitment to Penn State.

The 6-foot-6, 242-pounder from Windsor, Ontario had a final four of Michigan, Iowa, Penn State and Georgia before ultimately deciding on the Nittany Lions.

It seemed like the Wolverines were trending up in this recruitment near the end of the season. He took his official to Michigan for the MSU game, and then returned to Ann Arbor for an unofficial visit two weeks later for the OSU game. He also unofficially visited Michigan in February, shortly after receiving his offer, and October for the Iowa game. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough.

This is a big miss for Jim Harbaugh and company. Johnson was the Wolverines’ final elite skill player target in the 2020 class, and he would have been their top-ranked prospect in the class.

Now the Wolverines turn their attention to a few more four-star guys to round out their class — offensive lineman Andrew Gentry, cornerback Darion Green-Warren, defensive lineman Jaylen Harrell and quarterback CJ Stroud. They are also in it for three-star offensive lineman James Pogorelc, who officially visited Michigan last weekend.

Luckily for the Wolverines, they already had two tight ends committed to the 2020 class — three-stars Matthew Hibner and Nick Patterson.

The Wolverines remain with one top 100 player in their 2020 class — four-star wide receiver A.J. Henning — and the No. 13 overall class.