By Jarrod Ulrey, Press Pros Magazine for OHSAA.org
Paris Johnson Jr. is only 24 years old, but he’s seen — and experienced — enough to understand exactly how valuable his background has been to his success.
Prior to enjoying a successful college football career at Ohio State and since then becoming an NFL starter, Johnson gained toughness and grew in his abilities while spending three seasons at Cincinnati St. Xavier and his senior prep season at Cincinnati Princeton.
“I would just say that my high school development has allowed me to turn into the man I’ve become,” Johnson said. “Everyone knows Cincinnati football is serious. A lot of guys around the league don’t understand it, but I’d put it up there with how serious it is in Texas or California, especially Cincinnati and Columbus. Back then the Pickerington schools were starting to rise up. We were always at war on the field.”
Johnson, who is set to start his fourth season at offensive tackle this fall for the Arizona Cardinals, recently was inducted into the OHSAA Circle of Champions as part of the 2026 class.
He was a freshman in 2016 when St. Xavier defeated Pickerington Central 29-27 in a Division I state semifinal and Cleveland St. Ignatius 27-20 in two overtimes to capture the championship under coach Steve Specht, who has guided the program to four state titles in 23 seasons.
The Bombers went 11-2 in Johnson’s sophomore season and 5-6 when he was a junior.
Considered a five-star recruit and the No 1 recruit from the 2020 class, Johnson committed to Ohio State in June 2018 at offensive tackle.
Johnson transferred to Princeton in May 2019 for his senior season and helped the Vikings finish 6-5 that fall. He graduated early so he could enroll at Ohio State in January 2020.
Also in January 2020, Johnson traveled to San Antonio to play in the All-American Bowl, also receiving the All-American Bowl Man of the Year award the day before the game.
In addition, Johnson was named the Anthony Munoz Lineman of the Year, an award that honors the best lineman in the nation and was named after the Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Cincinnati Bengal.
“The competitiveness of what I learned in the weight room, even the scheme at Princeton in high school, allowed me to jump in at Ohio State and I was able to play early,” Johnson said. “Even in the classroom, especially at St. Xavier, being the man for others and how it inspired me to be in community, it shaped me to be involved in community and helped me to graduate.”
The 2020 college football season was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Buckeyes getting their season started in late October. Johnson played in five games as a true freshman, including at offensive guard in Ohio State’s 52-24 loss to Alabama in the National Championship game in January 2021 as the Buckeyes finished 7-1.
Johnson started every game at right guard during the 2021 season when the Buckeyes went 11-2 and defeated Utah 48-45 in the Rose Bowl. He moved to left tackle as a junior in 2022 when he was named an All-American as his team again went 11-2.
“Some of the best times were things like the Rose Bowl win, playing in such a historic stadium, playing in the game at night,” Johnson said. “The game starts in broad daylight and all of a sudden, you're looking up and it's pitch black. The fourth quarter starts and there’s fireworks. You grow up watching it, and a lot of times you had an outside perspective.”
Johnson graduated from Ohio State in less than three years, earning a degree in Journalism. He also was a credentialed member of the media and worked for the school newspaper, The Lantern.
“I’m walking on campus having my tripod and interviewing students, interviewing classmates,” Johnson said. “I’d be learning all weekend, covering the Ohio State baseball team and how fast it was to turn things around. As athletes, you don’t understand how hard it is to switch roles. It was a lot of work, but it was fun because you’re still involved in the game. But deadlines come up quickly.”
Johnson, who gave up just 10 total pressures at left tackle during his junior season for the Buckeyes, was listed at 6-foot-6 3/8, 313 pounds at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. He was selected with the sixth pick of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Cardinals, making him the highest-drafted offensive lineman from Ohio State since Orlando Pace — a fellow member of the 2026 Circle of Champions class — went No. 1 in 1997.
Johnson started all 17 games at right tackle for the Cardinals in 2023 and was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2024 when he started 14 games at left tackle. He helped block for a Cardinals offense that ran for 2,451 yards in 2024, marking the third-highest rushing yardage total in team history and its best since 1979.
In 2025, he started 12 games before being placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a knee injury.
“It’s a blessing to grow from year to year,” Johnson said. “I’m excited that this is going to be my best year yet. To be able to start my first three years in the NFL, I’m excited about what's coming next.”
Johnson, who turns 25 in July, created the Paris Johnson Jr. Foundation along with his mother, Monica Daniels, which supports veterans and disadvantaged youth athlete communities. In November 2022, the foundation received the Armed Forces Merit Award given by the Football Writers Association of America for the assistance it provides to veterans.
“We work with veterans, for homeless and disabled vets,” Johnson said. “Everyone talks about how they want to impact somebody’s life. Our foundation has worked with young athletes and helps with camps. We don’t really shy away from any initiative. Anything we can do to impact somebody’s life is huge.”
His father, Paris Johnson Sr., grew up in Illinois, played for Miami University, and was drafted in the fifth round of the 1999 NFL draft by the Cardinals. His mother was among the positive influences according to Johnson Jr. who helped make sure he stayed on the right path.
His sister, Sydney Johnson, attends Ohio State and according to Johnson is hoping to go into the medical field.
Johnson is engaged to Rylee Martell, who is the sister of former Ohio State football player Tate Martell.
“To be included in (the Circle of Champions) is amazing,” Johnson said. “It’s incredible, especially looking at the list when you see someone like Orlando Pace. I must be doing something right. It’s an honor and a blessing I’m able to be affiliated with it, especially so early in my career. Sometimes you’re in it so much, now you’re playing against the Dallas Cowboys and you realize this is such a blessing.”