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Elite Pennsylvania offensive lineman Dorian Johnson commits to Pitt

It's been a hard-fought battle, but Paul Chryst finally got his prized offensive line recruit Dorian Johnson

By PittScript Bryan
Justin K. Aller

The battle for Dorian Johnson has been well-documented on this blog. In many ways, Johnson embodies Pitt's needs going forward. Pitt desperately needs help on the offensive line. Pitt also needs to keep top WPIAL talent home. It got both when the program's huge recruiting weekend landed them a five-star offensive tackle.

Johnson is the 10th best prospect nationally according to 247Sports, 22nd on ESPN and 187th on Rivals. He picked Pitt over a final three of Pitt, Ohio State and Virginia Tech after decommiting and eliminating Penn State in the wake of their NCAA sanctions. He also held offers from Alabama, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Wisconsin, WVU, Maryland, Boston College and others.

SBN's recruiting guru Bud Elliott recently had this to say about Johnson:

Dorian Johnson | Belle Vernon (PA)

Johnson is perhaps the most athletic offensive tackle recruit in the country. The former Penn State commitment has great length at 6'6 and should eventually see his 270-pound frame north of 300 pounds. Johnson is thought to be favoring Pitt, though Ohio State cannot be counted out of the race. The Nittany Lions are no longer a factor after the NCAA bombshell. Johnson has more than 30 offers and would be a major coup for Pitt. The work that Pitt's staff did at Wisconsin with offensive linemen plays a large factor here for Johnson, as does the hometown advantage.

Elliott also added a bit in his write-up of Johnson's commitment. At 6'6" and around 275 lbs, Johnson has the frame is typical of the prototype lineman that Chryst helped mold into all-conference players and high NFL draft picks. Despite being an elite prospect, offensive lineman almost always require a redshirt to adjust to BCS-level football. That being said, given Pitt's lack of depth at tackle, he'll have a shot at the field protecting the winner of the Voytik/Chapman/Kincade battle in 2014.

Hail to Pitt.

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