What’s up with Ohio State football’s toughness level and Paris Johnson Jr.’s first step in validating first-round potential? Buckeye Bits

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Paris Johnson Jr. waited three years to lastly be Ohio State soccer’s left deal with, and his reward is making a debut in opposition to a possible first-round NFL Draft decide, simply as he would need it to be.

“That’s why I got here right here,” Johnson mentioned. “I wished to go up in opposition to one of the best folks each week. However I really feel prefer it ought to be tougher in observe too (with) the kind of folks we’ve got on this locker room.”

Johnson arrived as a five-star expertise and high deal with within the 2020 recruiting class, however he’s by no means truly gotten to play the place. As a freshman, he was in a backup position the place the one sport the place it might’ve been doable for him to play deal with would’ve been in opposition to Michigan State when the offensive line room had a COVID-19 outbreak. Besides he was a part of that group as effectively.

Then as a sophomore, he performed proper guard as one among 4 tackles beginning on the offensive line. He performed positive, however even he’d admit that he was by no means actually comfy. Now he’s lastly at left deal with, defending the blindside of C.J. Stroud, and is already getting the hype as a possible first-round NFL Draft decide even when he’s by no means taken a snap there.

Johnson can thank his recruiting pedigree for the hype. However he’s extra involved with residing as much as it each week.

“I attempt to remind myself daily that stuff, the NFL, will at all times be there,” Johnson mentioned. “If something, proper now, attempting to consider that may be a distraction. A very powerful factor to me is thrashing Notre Dame. It’s an important sport to me proper now at this second. Subsequent week once we speak, Arkansas State will likely be an important sport to me. That’s the one manner you must have a look at issues.”

That course of will begin on Saturday in opposition to the Irish, who’ve a first-round expertise of their very own in Isaiah Foskey. The senior’s coming off a 2021 season the place he recorded 52 tackles, 11 sacks and 6 compelled fumbles.

OSU has one of many nation’s finest passing offenses, led by Stroud because the Heisman Trophy favourite. However he’s solely pretty much as good as his safety. That begins with Johnson as the previous five-star deal with who’s patiently waited for his probability to lastly play the place.

Now he’s out to show that standing was warranted. Doing so begins with Foskey whereas figuring out that extra assessments are certain to be down the road for a group with nationwide title aspirations.

“He’s an incredible participant,” Johnson mentioned. “Generational sort of participant. However the kind of man that he’s, I believe, we’ve got numerous guys like him on this constructing right here. I’m blessed to play for a program that has the identical sort of expertise and talent throughout the board. I really feel like we’ve got one of the best preparation right here.”

What else did we study?

Cade Stover grew up idolizing James Laurinaitis’ Ohio State profession and it’s the inspiration for the best way he approaches the sport as a linebacker. Now he’s attempting to carry that very same method within the tight finish room whereas nonetheless having an admiration for Laurinaitis even when the previous All-American is now a part of Notre Dame’s teaching workers.

“That was my favourite linebacker,” Stover mentioned. “He was robust. He performed quick and onerous again when the sport was robust, onerous and quick. That’s what we’re attempting to carry again.”

Stover was additionally complimentary of the toughness he’s seen from OSU this fall camp: “Once you hear pads popping Day 14 like they had been Day 2, meaning you’re getting someplace.”

Ronnie Hickman will likely be one of many beginning safeties this season. He had a high quality yr coming one shy of 100 tackles final yr, even when the unit as an entire struggled at instances. Many of the gamers aside of that protection are again, however he sees the distinction a yr makes.

“I’m simply excited for everybody else to see it,” Hickmann mentioned. “We’ve been getting extra comfy every day we go on the market and dial in on issues. I’m excited for it and I can’t wait.”

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Should you or a beloved one has questions and wishes to speak to an expert about playing, name the Ohio Downside Playing Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the Nationwide Council on Program Playing Helpline (NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700.