After four years as a reserve, Donnie Johnson couldn't be happier to finally hit the field as a starter at safety this year. As opponents can attest, though, the field isn't the only thing he's hitting.

"I just want to hit as much as possible to make up for lost time in years past," Johnson said. "I just want to hit everything that moves."

The fifth-year senior from Cincinnati has been one of Penn State's most consistent players on defense this year, playing well in pass coverage and coming up to stop the run.

"Donnie had to wait his turn here," said linebacker Dan Connor. "He helped out on special teams and had been blocking punts. You don't see many safeties like him that can hit like a linebacker."

Becoming a safety who tackles like a linebacker required a long, winding road for a player who was recruited exclusively as a tailback before switching to receiver during his second year in the program. Johnson has also made stops at cornerback and nickelback along the way.

During his senior season in high school, Johnson rushed for 2,961 yards while averaging nearly 13 yards per carry. A Penn State fan growing up, Johnson committed to play for the Nittany Lions and was determined to follow in the footsteps of Penn State backs Ki-Jana Carter and Curtis Enis.

Johnson redshirted in 2002 as he watched Larry Johnson play like the Penn State running backs he'd seen on television as a child.

Then, in 2003, when he believed he would get his shot at playing time as a tailback, Johnson didn't see the field in the season opener against Temple.

"I had to sit and watch the entire game," Johnson recalled. "They told me earlier that I might not see any playing time, but it didn't hit me until then that I might not make it as a running back here."

So in the weeks that followed, Johnson embraced the change to wide receiver, but recorded only three catches that season.

It was depressing for the young man that held the career records for rushing yards, all-purpose yards, touchdowns and points at North College Hill high school.

Johnson discussed with his family the possibility of transferring, but decided to stick it out at Penn State because that's where he'd always wanted to play.

"What kept me going was that I love football," Johnson said.

"I knew I was going to get a shot somewhere on the field because I'm too good to be sitting on the sideline."

After his brief time at receiver in 2003, Johnson moved to cornerback in 2004. His biggest contributions that year came on special teams, where he blocked two punts for a squad that needed all the offensive help it could get.

Last year, after Justin King switched exclusively to offense, Johnson became Penn State's nickelback, seeing more playing time than ever before. Still, Johnson made his presence felt on special teams, where he blocked a punt at Michigan State that was recovered for a touchdown.

Now, after earning the starting job at safety, Johnson isn't content with just getting on the field -- he's looking to make the big hit whenever possible, to make the fans wonder where he's been the past few years.

"Donnie's an animal," receiver Deon Butler said. "He's one of my favorite defensive players in the secondary to watch. To me, he's just a big show. He goes out there and he's making big hits."

Johnson's been studying film of safeties like Ronnie Lott and Jack Tatum, players that could make a receiver think twice before going over the middle.

He knows he's surprised people with his play this season, but if it's up to him, the people most surprised will be the backs and wideouts on the receiving end of his hits.

"When I hit somebody, you feel my entire 210 pounds." Johnson said.

"I want to make the big hit -- make the crowd go 'Ooooo'."