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Ohio State Left Tackle Paris Johnson Jr. : ‘I’m a Natural Tackle, but I Want To Be Part of the Best Five'
INDIANAPOLIS - Ohio State left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. is one of the top tackles prospects in the 2023 class and is likely to go in the first round.
On Saturday, Johnson Jr., slotted as a potential fit with the Tennessee Titans with the No. 11 overall selection, spoke with media members at the NFL Combine and was asked about his transition from right guard to left tackle.
"I think I'm a natural tackle, but at the same time, I want to be part of the best five," Johnson Jr. said. "If I've got to learn to snap and be the center, I'll do it."
"For me, I'm more naturally a tackle, but it took time and it took all the spring practices and all the time at camp," Johnson Jr. continued. "I'm staying after every practice and coming in on odd days when nobody's coming in to do that extra work. That's the things behind the scenes that helped me get here."
Johnson Jr. attributed his athleticism at tackle to several other sports he played growing up.
"My first sport as a kid was hockey, and then I was in gymnastics," Johnson Jr. said. "My Mom had me put in all types of sports. I did t-ball, I played soccer. I've done all types of stuff. I was in wrestling when I was younger, and I did it a year in high school.
"I hated wrestling, but I think it's something that helps with the mental toughness and the physicality of the sport, too, and the endurance it takes to play this sport at a high level, Johnson Jr. continued. "
Johnson Jr. also mentioned several other positions he played in football throughout his career and says that's helped him with his transition to playing along the offensive line.
"I wasn't always a lineman," Johnson Jr. said. "I started out as a safety, then I was a quarterback, believe it or not, and then I was a tight end, receiver and defensive end. I think it's helped my game."
When asked what things specifically make him a natural tackle, Johnson Jr. mentioned his athleticism, amongst other things.
"I would say I feel like my athleticism is unmatched in the country, my ability to move my feet and my ability to be able to cover my opponent, Johnson Jr. said. "I've never played basketball 'cause I can't dribble, but my feet can cover anybody."
"I feel like I've got good feet, and I feel like the violence I play with out in space is crucial, Johnson Jr. continued. "In order to get the body blows you need to succeed at tackle when you're on an island, over and over again, is the violence out in space to slow your man down."
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