Ohio State Football: Coach Larry Johnson just keeps raising the bar
Long before he joined the Ohio State football program Larry Johnson was known for sending defensive linemen to the NFL. Now it’s getting ridiculous.
Before he took over as the defensive line coach for the Ohio State football team Larry Johnson was one of the most respected assistants in college football. During his time at Penn State coaching defensive ends from 1996-99 and the entire line from 2000-2013 coach Johnson had 12 players drafted into the NFL and 5 were first round picks.
If you think that’s impressive, just look at the players he has sent to the pros during his six years at Ohio State.
2015 NFL Draft
DT Michael Bennett 6th Round, Jacksonville Jaguars: Bennett set the standard for three technique tackles coming behind him during the National Championship season.
2016
DE Joey Bosa 1st Round (3), San Diego Chargers: Total beast off the edge.
DT Adolphus Washington 3rd Round, Buffalo Bills: Terrific NT in 2014 and even better three technique DT the next year.
2018
DT Tyquan Lewis 2nd Round, Indianapolis Colts: Like Washington, a high school defensive end who developed into and outstanding tackle.
DE Sam Hubbard 3rd Round, Cincinnati Bengals: Coach Johnson took this high school safety and turned him into an outstanding defensive end.
DE Jalyn Holmes 4th Round, Minnesota Vikings: Holmes and Hubbard were like twins, similar size, athletic and brought it every play.
2019
DE Nick Bosa 1st Round (2), San Francisco 49ers: Little beast.
DT Dre’Mont Jones 3rd Round, Denver Broncos: Like with Washington and Lewis, coach Johnson moved Jones to DT where he excelled.
2020
Chase Young 1st Round (2), Washington Redskins: “The Predator” was the best player in college football last season.
DT DaVon Hamilton 3rd, Jacksonville Jaguars: Love this guy, he just kept working and improving.
DT Jashon Cornell 7th, Detroit Lions: Valuable player on the line who performed well inside or on the edge when needed.
Next. Time for offense to produce NFL ROTY. dark
Coach Johnson has a ton of talent on his line at the moment and three outstanding recruits committed to the 2021 class. I think it’s safe to say you can expect him to send even more defensive linemen to the league going forward.