Ohio State Football: The ‘Magician’ raised the bar to another level
The Ohio State defensive line coach continues to amaze.
Right when you think you have seen everything Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson can accomplish he will surprise you. In the last year the “Magician” has simply been taking things to another level.
In his many years coaching linemen at Penn State and his four with the Buckeyes coach Johnson has been well-known for turning out All-Big Ten players, All-Americans and sending players to the NFL. Entering last season he had already set the bar so high in all three categories it was unbelievable, but now he has raised it even higher.
Take a look at what the D line coach and his players have accomplished lately..
Three defensive ends were named All-Big Ten. Nick Bosa and Tyquan Lewis made the first team and Sam Hubbard was a second team selection by both the coaches and the media.
Has there ever been three defensive ends from one team so honored? Oh, by the way, defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones was named to the third team by the coaches.
Now, what may be about to take place in April would be one for the ages. There is a real possibility coach Johnson will have five of his linemen chosen in the NFL draft.
And it won’t include the Smith-Brown Defensive Player of the Year because Bosa isn’t draft eligible, or Jones who decided to return to Ohio State.
Jalyn Holmes will join Lewis and Hubbard as the third defensive end who will be a draft pick, tackles Tracy Sprinkle and Michael Hill could very well be chosen also. On the drafttek.com Big Board, Hill is rated as the 8th best tackle prospect and Sprinkle is ranked No. 22.
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With the talent in the Ohio State pipeline, and a terrific group of linemen in this year’s recruiting class, expect more of the same in coming drafts.
In a previous article I first called Larry Johnson the “Magician” because of the way he develops talent, but last season he took things up a notch. The Ohio State defensive line was recognized as one of the best in college football, and once again some of the players were playing different positions than they did in high school. Tackles Sprinkle, Jones and Jashon Cornell were converted defensive ends and Hubbard was an All-Ohio safety.
One thing that amazes me every year is when a talented defensive lineman rejects an Ohio State offer and chooses to play for another school. Don’t they understand what they are turning down?
First, all of his players love playing for coach Johnson. Second, if the recruit has a good attitude and the willingness to learn, there is a good chance he will be earning a paycheck from an NFL team in just three or four years.
Next: Ohio State Spring Preview: Center and Left Tackle
The number of players coach Johnson has developed into pros is staggering and he continues to add more to the long list. Since playing in the NFL is the ultimate goal for nearly every highly rated recruit, I would think any defensive lineman would want to play for the Buckeyes, and the “Magician”.