Tag: Paris Johnson Jr.

Ohio State has best offensive line in college football

Ohio State has a plethora of talent on the offensive line, with Wyatt Davis leading the way, it’s best offensive line in college football.

The Ohio State football team has always been known for its offensive lines. Year in and year out one of the most consistent units, it has a gathering of riches on the offensive line yet again in 2020.

This year the Buckeyes added Paris Johnson to an already stacked line with Wyatt Davis, Nicholas Petite-Frere, Josh Myers, Thayer Munford, and Harry Miller. Six players into the list and we still haven’t named Gavin Cupp or Jeremy Ruckert (technically a tight end, but yeah, he blocks too). A stacked position group for sure with a lot of five-star recruits.

Last year, Pro Football Focus, ranked the Buckeyes the fourth most efficient offensive line in college football. Keeping pass rushers off of Justin Fields on 67.4% of his dropbacks and allowing for 3.11 seconds of time before pressure started getting to Fields. With Davis leading the way, they only figure to get better in 2020.

Keeping Fields clean will be key in 2020 and there is no reason to believe the beef eaters up front can’t do so. With a slightly revamped wide receiver corps and a new starting running back, allowing Fields to make plays and stay mobile is something Ryan Day would welcome.

Having Paris Johnson as the backup/swing, and potentially starting, tackle allows for some flexibility for Day to call plays to allow Fields to roll to one side or the other without having to tip his play when Johnson is in the game. Having three starting quality offensive tackles is a problem most coaches would relish.

With a season in question, and teams playing conference games only, offensive lines will be asked to handle a little more as teams will have more tape from having to play more of the same teams. The Buckeyes have that much-needed luxury of having a top-flight offensive line that can simply out-talent the opposition despite the film study.

Only Munford is a senior this year, which means even if the season doesn’t go off like it is expected, then there’s still the possibility of bringing back some experience again if the others eschew the NFL and want another crack at it. So while everyone talks about the wide receivers, linebackers, or defensive line, don’t forget the guys in the trenches, the best offensive line in college football.

It does remain to be seen how the potential cancellation of high school football effects recruiting next year, however, with the amassed talent the Buckeyes should be in good shape. The offensive line is an absolute strength of this team.

USA TODAY ranks three Ohio State 2020 commitments in its top 25 of the class

USA TODAY has ranked the top 25 high school commitments for the 2020 class, and Ohio State has three players on the list.

By all accounts and measures, the Ohio State football program has signed another recruiting class. According to most recruiting websites, the 2020 recruiting cycle resulted in one of the top five classes in the nation for the Buckeyes.

USA TODAY did their own ranking of the top 25 high school players that signed on the dotted line for this year, and the Buckeyes have three appearing on the list. Wide receiver Julian Fleming checks in at No. 5, offensive lineman Paris Johnson, Jr., is rated No. 10, and quarterback C.J. Stroud appears at No. 19 overall.

That’s a lot of talent at the top, but the Buckeyes can’t boast about having the most players signed on the list. That honor goes to Clemson who has four players among the top 25 according to USA TODAY.

Here’s what Jason Jordan of USA TODAY says about the three top 25 players that signed with Ohio State.

Julian Fleming

Fleming is a matchup nightmare for most corners because of his elite athleticism and speed (4.3). Fleming also boasts a 43-inch vertical leap.

Paris Johnson, Jr.

Johnson has great footwork for his size and anchors down and gets great position on the line. Johnson has great hands and uses his strong upper body to keep defensive linemen at bay.

C.J. Stroud

Rich get richer as Stroud picked Ohio State on Wednesday. Stroud is a skilled passer with the precision to hit tight windows as well deep balls. Stroud’s timing is impeccable, and his reads tend to be the right call.

 

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.

We have a forum and message board now. Get in on the conversation about Ohio State athletics by joining the Buckeyes Wire Forum.

Ohio State football has four five-star commits in final 247Sports rankings

The final 247Sports recruiting rankings are out and Ohio State will finish with four 5-star recruits when it’s all said and done.

We always knew Ohio State had some top-end talent in its 2020 recruiting class, and now the star-ratings reflect that — at least according to the 247Sports ratings that were just finalized. There are just 32 five-star athletes meaning they are the very top of the top. And in Ohio State’s case, it has four players out of those 32.

The five-stars include the overall No. 4 recruit, wide receiver Julian Fleming, No. 8, offensive tackle Paris Johnson, Jr., Jr, No. 15, another receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and No. 29, quarterback C.J. Stroud. Both Smith-Njigba and Stroud are newly minted five-star athletes giving OSU a bit of a boost in the quality at the top according to the rankings.

With the change and update, only Clemson has more five-star players than OSU with five. Alabama also has four.

The overall class remains the No. 5 rated class in the composite rankings for 2020, and with Ohio State having already inked almost all of its class during the early signing period, it will not be moving up at all. If anything, it could slide a position or two.

[lawrence-related id=22252]

Either way, the talent in this class is a very, very good one — especially at the top end.

 

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.

We have a forum and message board now. Get in on the conversation about Ohio State athletics by joining the Buckeyes Wire Forum.

Ohio State football commit Paris Johnson Jr named All-American Bowl Man of the Year

Ohio State Football commit, Paris Johnson Jr., has been named the All-American Bowl’s Man of the Year.

Ohio State Football commit, Paris Johnson Jr., has been named the All-American Bowl’s Man of the Year. Johnson Jr. is the No. 1 rated offensive lineman in the Class of 2020 and was one of Ohio State’s first commits.

One of the Buckeyes’ few five-star recruits, Johnson will be joining Southern California’s Julian Fleming as the top recruits for Ohio State’s elite inbound class.

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, and playing at Princeton High School, Johnson is a huge 6-foot-7,pounds 300 pounder. He is a top-200 all-time prospect according to 247 Sports. He is also the No. 1 rated player from the state of Ohio and a top-ten national prospect.

It’s fitting that such a player was awarded as the All-American Bowl’s Man of the Year for his work on and off the field.

This makes two-straight years a Buckeye commit has won the honor, with receiver Garrett Wilson being recognized last year.

Johnson Jr. should have an immediate impact on Ohio State’s line, one that can only marginally get better this upcoming season. The Buckeyes line helped allow J.K. Dobbins to have an absolutely incredible season.

With Paris Johnson Jr., they may be even better this coming season.

He’s obviously ready and so is Buckeye Nation.

Ohio State football signees Paris Johnson and Kourt Williams finalists for All-American Bowl Man of the Year Award

Ohio State signees Paris Johnson Jr, and Kourt Williams are two of six finalists for the All-American Bowl’s Man of the Year.

If you’ve followed Ohio State football over the last few years, there has been a definitive and cultural shift in the program. It still goes after the best of the best talent, but there’s no doubt that character is a big, big part of recruiting a kid to Columbus these days. Not that it wasn’t before, and not that other programs don’t focus on it, but I am continually pleased and proud of the way Buckeye players conduct themselves in interviews and both on and off the field.

And here’s another nod to that.

According to a release by the All-American Bowl, Ohio State football signees Paris Johnson Jr., and Kourt Williams have both been named as part of six finalists for the bowl’s Man of the Year Award.

It could be history repeating itself. Last season, Ohio State 2019 signee and now freshman wide-receiver Garrett Wilson was a finalist and ultimately won the award. Could another future OSU player do it again?

According to the All-American Bowl’s website, “Nominees epitomize a high standard of excellence in community service and athletic distinction.” There’s no bout the Ohio State program is set to usher in some more great player, but perhaps more importantly, some great kids.

The award is set to be handed out during the 2020 All-American Bowl Awards Show on Friday, January 3rd in San Antonio, Texas.

We will of course inform you if either Williams or Johnson takes home the honor.