Ohio State Football: Paris Johnson Jr. on preseason watchlist

This is preseason watchlist season. It’s the end of July, so that’s when they all come out. A lot of Ohio State football players have been well represented on these lists too. Another Buckeye got recognized on another list for an offensive player.

Paris Johnson Jr. is on the Outland Trophy preseason watchlist for the best lineman in the country. This isn’t surprising. Of all of the linemen Ohio State has, on both offense and defense, Johnson Jr. has the best chance to be great this season. He clearly has the most talent on the line.

The Buckeyes are hoping that he can have another good season in 2022. He played guard last season but will likely swing out to left tackle this year. Johnson Jr. was recruited as a tackle out of high school and was a five-star kid, but showed his versatility by playing guard last year.

Ohio State has a great offense all around, but the offensive line is the biggest question mark. They weren’t great in pressure situations, specifically when they tried to run the ball up the middle. That’s why they have a new offensive line coach. That should help change things for the better.

As far as Johnson Jr. is concerned, he has a chance to be a first-round pick in next year’s NFL Draft if he has a good season. He has the physical tools that scouts drool over. He had a pretty good season as a guard. If he can show the same sort of skills at tackle, he should be a first-rounder.

I’m very excited to see what happens with the offensive line this year. If they are a really good offensive line, the offense will be even more lethal than they were a year ago. That could mean a national championship for the Ohio State football team.