Pitt All 105: DT Anthony Johnson Making Instant Impact

All 105 is a Pittsburgh Sports Now series profiling each of the 105 members of the Pitt 2024 training camp roster. 

Anthony Johnson, a redshirt senior defensive tackle from Jeannette in Pittsburgh, Pa.

2023 season: Johnson started all 13 games for Youngstown State last season, his fourth season with the program

Stats: Johnson recorded 25 tackles (10 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks last season. His 16 quarterback pressures were the sixth-most amongst FCS interior defensive linemen, according to PFF

Camp outlook: Johnson is putting together a strong summer for the Panthers, working with the 1s during camp. He’s earned praise from the coaching staff and his teammates alike

Projected role: Johnson is firmly in the mix to start Week 1 against Kent State, and if the season started today, there’s a very strong chance he would be a starter on the defensive line

Johnson (6-foot-3, 300 pounds) took a winding path to reach Pitt after leaving Youngstown State following last season. He spent the spring at Illinois, transferred to Mississippi State but eventually chose Pitt.

Johnson logged 403 defensive snaps at YSU last season, playing in 13 games, and he recorded 25 tackles (10 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. His 16 quarterback pressures were the sixth-most amongst FCS interior defensive linemen, according to PFF.

“When (Pitt) came in the picture, I knew I had to take it seriously,” Johnson said. “After I sat down with coach Narduzzi, we watched film and the knowledge he gave me in just a little bit of time was something I wanted to be a part of.

“It was the best opportunity for me. We sat down and watched film, me and coach Narduzzi, a couple of weeks ago, sat down for a couple of hours and watched some film and he just really impressed me with his knowledge of the game. But it stuck out between all the other coaches.”