Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. has decided to enter the 2023 NFL draft according to a statement and thank you letter he shared on his Twitter account on Tuesday.
Johnson came to Ohio State as a five-star recruit in the 2020 class. He gained plenty of playing time as a freshman and became a full-time starter at guard in 2021. In 2022, Johnson started all 13 games back at his natural position, left tackle, and gained immediate recognition, garnering consensus first-team All-American and All-Big Ten honors.
Johnson will leave OSU with a degree in journalism and recently wrote a heartfelt piece in the Players Tribune letting the world know what it meant to be a Buckeye and being a part of the brotherhood.
He has also been charitable in the community, starting the Paris Johnson Jr. Foundation which is “dedicated to empowering and serving disabled veterans and disadvantaged student athletes with dignity and respect. We accomplish this by ensuring that disabled veterans, student athletes and their families can obtain helpful resources that benefit them.” It has raised over $15,000 to date and won the Armed Forces Merit Award this past season.
Thank you Buckeye Nation.. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/81aIjLhGxq
— Paris Johnson Jr. (@ParisJohnsonJr) January 10, 2023
His loss obviously leaves a big hole on the offensive line, on the team as a leader, and in the community. He is projected as a first-round pick in the upcoming draft and will bring some of the same to whichever NFL team makes the decision to draft him.
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