Inside The Panthers

Pitt DL Anthony Johnson Joins Alliance 412

Pitt Panthers defensive lineman and Nebraska transfer Chief Borders has signed with Alliance 412, the Pitt NIL Collective.

Dominic Campbell

Sep 2, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; A Pittsburgh Panthers helmet on the sidelines against the Wofford Terriers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; A Pittsburgh Panthers helmet on the sidelines against the Wofford Terriers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH -- Pitt Panthers redshirt senior defensive lineman Chief Borders signed with Alliance 412, the NIL Collective that represents Pitt student-athletes.

Johnson spent time at Taylor Allderdice High School, located in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh before transferring to Jeannette in Westmoreland County for his junior season in 2017. He excelled with Jeannette, making 134 tackles and 12 sacks en route to a 16-1 season and winning both the WPIAL and PIAA Class 1A Championships.

He transferred to Cleveland Heights High School in Cleveland Heights, Ohio for his senior season, before committing to Bowling Green. He played in three games as a freshman, redshirted, and then entered the transfer portal.

Johnson ended up at FCS program Youngstown State and played the past four seasons there. He served mostly as a reserve defensive lineman in his first two seasons, playing in 14 games and making seven tackles.

He would see more time in 2022, playing in nine games and starting six. He made 13 tackles, five solo, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack that season.

Johnson had his most productive season in 2023, starting all 13 games for the Penguins. He made 25 tackles, 10 solo, 6.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and one fumble recovery.

He chose to transfer from Youngstown State following the season. He received many offers then, including one from Pitt, but chose to go to Illinois.

Johnson re-entered the transfer portal following spring practices and is now looking to play somewhere for his sixth and final season, with Pitt choosing to offer him again as well.Ā 

Fighting Illini' head coach Bret Bielema spoke toĀ Sam Gillenwater of On3Ā and wasn't surprised with Johnson choosing to go back into the transfer portal.Ā 

ā€œI could see it the last couple of weeks," Bielema said. "There were guys playing, right, that I donā€™t know if he saw himself getting that starting role. I get it. The guy has got one year left. Asked him to kind of thing about it but totally understand where heā€™s coming from. So he quit, moved on.ā€

He had aĀ list of his top four schools, including Pitt, Arkansas and Michigan State, but ultimately chose to go to Mississippi State.Ā 

One person who played a role inĀ his transferĀ to Mississippi State was defensive analyst Evan Harvey, who coached him at Youngstown State.

He then decommited from Mississippi State and landed at Pitt on May 29.

Johnson is now at his third school this offseason, fourth in the last sixth months and fifth since he started college.

His addition to the Panthers gives them much needed depth at defensive end. Starter Dayon Hayes and redshirt freshman Antonio Camon both entered the transfer portal following spring practice, while Samuel Okunlola transferred to Colorado following the end of the season.

Johnson was the second defensive lineman to join Pitt following the end of spring practices, along with NebraskaĀ transfer Chief Borders.Ā 

Make sure you bookmarkĀ Inside the PanthersĀ for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

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Dominic Campbell

DOMINIC CAMPBELL

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