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Paris Johnson Jr., the 6-foot-6, 325-pound NFL offensive tackle for the Arizona Cardinals, has his roots in Ohio State. He played for the Buckeyes from 2020 to 2022 and was honored as the Consensus All-American in 2022, First-team All-Big Ten in 2022, and Second-team All-Big Ten in 2021. His legendary run throughout his college career earned him a 1st-round NFL Draft pick and the 6th overall selection for $28M by the Cardinals. Despite having it all, the OT revealed his one unaccomplished goal at Ohio State.

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On the October 13th episode of The Good in the Game podcast, Paris Johnson Jr. joined the NFL Legend LaVar Arrington and revealed, “Coming out of high school, I was the top guy in the state, the top guy in my position in the country, and in the top 10 overall.”

Johnson was a top-ranked 5-star prospect in the class of 2020. Coming out of high school, he had 48 offers from the top programs across the country. However, the OT committed to the Buckeyes in June 2018 and joined the program in January 2020 as an early enrollee. Just like any other freshman, Paris Johnson had one goal in mind. 

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“So I’m thinking I want to be the third guy in the history of Ohio State to start the game as a freshman… So that was a goal that I had, and obviously, that was not what happened for me… I spent my whole first year, for the most part, on the sidelines. And I’m watching other guys who played the same position as I, who were in the same high school class, who always looked up to me like, ‘I already know the type of path you’re going to be on. And I’m watching those guys at various other schools. They’re already starting, already playing. They’re starting to earn honors. That was a hard part for me,” the Buckeyes alum said.

During his freshman year in 2020, Paris Johnson got a chance to step on the field for Ohio State, but not as a starter. His first appearance came in a one-sided, 52-17, win against Nebraska on October 24, 2020. Johnson then went on to feature against Penn State, Rutgers, and Indiana in the regular season.

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“The five-star status and all that does not matter… and learned how important it is to get in the playbook.” He then came to know what’s important as a freshman in college. “At the college level, just because you’re dominating your man, if you do not know what’s going on with the Xs and Os as a freshman, they do not care how popular, how hyped up, how large you are, how athletic you are; change your direction.” 

So, instead of changing his game, he expanded his care off the field to watch tapes with seniors, which helped him play faster. From his freshman experience, he rebuilt his career and made his way into the NFL. Paris Johnson started 13 games in 2021 and 12 games in 2022, respectively. Although he didn’t realize his starting-as-a-freshman dream, his Ohio State career prepared him for the pros. 

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Paris Johnson Jr. announces Offensive Lineman of the Year award

The Buckeyes Alum has been running the Paris Johnson Jr. Foundation since his senior year in high school. The foundation assists US military veterans and disadvantaged young athletes and builds leaders from Ohio high schools. On September 29, 2025, the foundation announced the “Ohio High School Offensive Lineman of the Year Award” every year to honor the contributions of people on and off the football field.

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Is Paris Johnson Jr.'s journey proof that patience and hard work trump early success in sports?

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“Offensive linemen are the backbone of any successful football team, but their contributions often go unrecognized,” Johnson said, speaking to Bucknuts. “This award is about more than just football performance; it’s about celebrating young men who protect their teammates on the field and serve as leaders in their schools and communities. These players embody the values of hard work, dedication, and selflessness that make great offensive linemen and even better people.”

Based on the announcement, the initial “Watch List” will be announced based on football performance, academic standing, leadership qualities, and community involvement. The finalists will be invited to the Ohio Football State Championship Game, and the winner will be announced.

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Is Paris Johnson Jr.'s journey proof that patience and hard work trump early success in sports?

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