Report: Larry Johnson Finalizing Deal to Join OSU's Defensive Staff

Larry Johnson has been employed on Penn State's defensive staff since 1996, until today, when he officially left Penn State due to not receiving the head gig in State College.

Johnson is a talented defensive line coach, an elite recruiter and would be a strong addition to any coaching staff, particularly Ohio State's:

Thamel's scoops are considered more solid than most due to his good relationship with Urban Meyer. It was Thamel, you'll recall, that first broke the news about Ryan Shazier declaring for the NFL Draft and Braxton Miller's return for his senior season.

Larry Johnson would replace Mike Vrabel, who left Ohio State to coach linebackers for former Penn State coach Bill O'Brien and the Houston Texans.

Johnson, having coached against Ohio State since 1996 at Penn State, is familiar with the Buckeyes' personnel, particularly star defensive end Noah Spence and defensive tackle Tommy Schutt, two players that originally committed to Johnson and Penn State before the Jerry Sandusky abuse scandal surfaced.