Towering OL Paris Johnson Named to First SI All-American Team

Offensive lineman and Ohio State commitment Paris Johnson brings physicality and ideal measurables to the inaugural SI All-American roster.

Author:
John Garcia, Jr.
Publish date:
Dec 16, 2019

Ohio State is keeping the top offensive lineman within state lines home and now he's an SI All-American.

Paris Johnson, who wrapped up a career at Cincinnati (Ohio) Princeton last month, is a towering tackle talent with a 6-foot-7, 290-pound frame. Arguably the top offensive tackle projection in the class of 2020, he helped the Vikings to a winning record during his senior season. The program's offense averaged more than 27 points per game in a competitive area with the future Buckeye anchoring the offensive front.

Despite a reported four dozen scholarship offers, OSU got Johnson on board early in the process, landing his pledge in June 2018. Since programs like LSU, Alabama, Georgia and others have hosted him on visits with an attempt to change his mind to no avail. LSU and Georgia even got him on campus in an official capacity during the spring.

Johnson is slated to sign with Ryan Day & Co. this week before enrolling on campus to begin his college career in January.

Why Johnson is an All-American:

At 6-7, 290 pounds, Johnson has long been considered the left tackle prototype at the prep level. But the future Buckeye isn’t just a raw, physical specimen who looks the part — he’s a true left tackle prospect with a strong floor. He’s been considered a ceiling type but his footwork is elite despite his immense length and there is plenty of nasty in his game along the way.

Johnson can make plays on the move, too, with well above average lateral ability and strong consistency in getting down the line or to the second level. He works with a sense of urgency and could probably use more patience in his game, a trait any offensive line coach welcomes as opposed to the converse. Should he buy into the intricacies of the position, like hand technique, he will polish up quickly and be in line to play fairly early in Columbus.

2019 SI All-American Offensive Team:

QB Bryce Young, Alabama (Why Young? Highlights)

RB Demarckus Bowman, Clemson (Why Bowman? Highlights)

RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Georgia Tech (Why Gibbs? Highlights)

WR Julian Fleming, Ohio State (Why Fleming? Highlights)

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State (Why Smith-Njigba? Highlights)

WR Malachi Wideman, FSU (Why Wideman? Highlights)

TE Arik Gilbert, LSU (Why Gilbert? Highlights)

OL Paris Johnson, Ohio State (Why Johnson? Highlights)

OL Tate Ratledge, UGA (Why Ratledge? Highlights)

OL Javion Cohen, Alabama (Why Cohen? Highlights)

OL Issiah Walker, Florida (Why Walker? Highlights)