Anouncement:Ohio State Buckeyes player Xavier Johnson is leaving..

admin | December 3, 2023 | Ohio State Buckeyes | No Comments

Xavier Johnson of Ohio State will return in 2023 for an additional season of eligibility
The former walk-on has become an offensive and special teams weapon for the Buckeyes.

Xavier Johnson, a senior wide receiver for Ohio State in his fifth year, made a clever announcement on Monday that he will be returning for an additional year of eligibility in 2023. He made this announcement by tagging redshirt junior tight end Cade Stover in an Instagram post, with the caption “What you say?” in reference to Stover’s earlier announcement.

Former Cincinnati walk-on Johnson has rushed for 146 yards and another touchdown this season in addition to catching 13 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns. In addition, he participated in the Buckeyes’ punt and kickoff return units, recovering two blocked punts, and returned 12 kicks for 269 yards.

With Ohio State returning two wide receivers with 1,000 yards and up to five scholarship running backs, it’s unclear exactly what role Johnson will play in the offense next season, but he’ll continue to contribute on special teams and be prepared for when his name is called elsewhere.

Wide receiver Kamryn Babb, offensive lineman Matthew Jones, defensive end Tyler Friday, defensive tackle Taron Vincent, linebacker Palaie Gaoteote, cornerback Cameron Brown, and safety Josh Proctor are among the other players who might benefit from their extra year of eligibility in 2019.

They all took part in Senior Day events prior to the regular-season finale versus Michigan, but Johnson also went, so there’s still a chance that any of them will visit Columbus in 2023. However, they would be deducted from the Buckeyes’ allotted 85 scholarship players.

Ohio State football’s Block O recipient for the 2023 campaign is Xavier Johnson.

Even by the high standards of the Buckeyes, the Ohio State wide receiver room is full of exceptional recruits.

In this manner, offensive coordinator and receivers coach Brian Hartline has drawn four- and five-star players to his team.

And there is Xavier Johnson after that.

Johnson left Cincinnati Summit Country Day as a walk-on. Hartline didn’t even recruit him, in actuality. Under Urban Meyer and former receivers coach Zach Smith, Johnson is the final player from OSU’s 2018 recruiting class.

From that humble beginning, Johnson has risen to the pinnacle in terms of respect from his teammates and coaches. The sixth-year receiver will wear the coveted Block O jersey this season, OSU announced Saturday.

A 'beautiful' journey: Xavier Johnson may have started as a walk-on, but he's leaving an indelible Ohio State football legacy - cleveland.com

Three years ago, the Block O jersey honor was instituted in remembrance of Buckeye legend Bill Willis. Willis helped break down the color barrier in professional football and is now inducted into both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. The previous recipients were wide receiver Kamryn Babb, offensive lineman Thayer Munford, and defensive end Jonathan Cooper.

This spring, when talking about Johnson, Hartline brought up Babb, who overcame four ACL injuries.

Hartline remarked in March, “Outside those white lines, he is a great young man – Kam Babb-ish.” Kam Babb established a benchmark. X agrees with all of that, as do a few other guys. a strong believer, an excellent role model for the younger men, and a voice for the voiceless. For Xavier, the future looks promising.

Johnson barely survived his inaugural season. Johnson was dejected about his prospects of having an influence because he was far down the depth chart. Johnson was convinced to stay after speaking with Meyer, who assured him that he would eventually be given a role.

Johnson remarked in March, “I had high hopes for myself when I came as a walk-on, of course.” “I had the impression that I would arrive here and completely change the world. That was my intention. For a moment, things did seem hopeless when it didn’t happen. I no longer felt quite the same urge.

However, I had the good fortune to surround myself with wonderful people and have a solid religious foundation. I decided to keep hitting that rock after saying a lot of prayers.

In 2021, he was awarded a scholarship. Johnson earned a degree in consumer and family financial services in December of that year and was recognized as an OSU Scholar-Athlete.

He was extremely useful as a hybrid running back/receiver last year, especially after injuries decimated the backfield. Johnson had two key touchdown passes for the Buckeyes: a 37-yard touchdown catch that was capped by a spin move to give OSU the lead at halftime against Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinal, and a crucial 24-yard touchdown pass to give the team the lead in a 21-10 victory over Notre Dame.

In 2021 and 2022, he also tallied six special teams tackles.

Johnson is currently utilizing a sixth year of eligibility due to the additional year of eligibility granted by COVID.

Johnson stated, “I was very comfortable with the plan they had set before me. Coach Day and Coach Hart laid out a plan that they have for me.” It felt a little bit like there was still meat on the bone. I still have a few goals at Ohio State, and returning was the best option for me because I feel like I can accomplish all of those goals.