Ohio State football’s JK Johnson, a part-time starter in 2022, enters transfer portal

COLUMBUS, Ohio — JK Johnson began 5 video games for Ohio State soccer this previous season, however his subsequent sport will are available in a special uniform.

Johnson entered his identify within the NCAA switch portal on Tuesday. Cleveland.com confirmed the event, first reported by 247 Sports activities.

Johnson, a redshirt freshman, began 5 video games in a six-game stretch. The St. Louis native got here off the bench to play 33 snaps towards Michigan within the regular-season finale. Nonetheless, he performed no defensive snaps final Saturday within the playoff semifinal towards Georgia.

He got here to OSU as a four-star, top-50 prospect within the 2021 class, and the No. 3 cornerback general per the 247 Sports activities nationwide composite. The Buckeyes had excessive hopes for Johnson and classmate Jordan Hancock to interrupt by way of this season. Partially as a result of Hancock was injured for your entire first half, Johnson performed the third-most snaps amongst cornerbacks, per Professional Soccer Focus.

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Johnson was credited with 20 tackles, however no different move protection statistics. Damage sidelined him for many of his true freshman season. Nonetheless, he was one of many few members of the cornerback room to keep away from harm points in preseason camp and into the season, which opened up his bigger position.

Ohio State expects to return starter Denzel Burke and reserves Jordan Hancock, a classmate of Johnson’s, and 2022 freshmen Jyaire Brown and Ryan Turner. Jermaine Mathews and Calvin Simpson-Hunt take part a 2023 class which noticed Kayin Lee flip to Auburn on signing day.

Johnson would have at worst been a top quality depth choice for the two-deep. Ohio State entered final season with solely six scholarship cornerbacks, together with the 2 true freshmen. Whereas 4 defensive gamers who’ve entered the portal for the reason that finish of the common season, Johnson’s departure might impression the 2023 season essentially the most.

Shortly after phrase broke of Johnson coming into the portal, Syracuse security Ja’Had Carter introduced he’s transferring to Ohio State.

Gamers have till Jan. 18 to enter their identify within the portal for the winter window. One other portal window opens in Could.

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