5 Ohio State stars who won’t be back and their replacements for 2023
By John Buhler
Ohio State Buckeyes. player. 812. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. OT. Paris Johnson Jr.. 2
Paris Johnson Jr. has already graduated and should be seen as a first-round lock
While it would have been storybook for Paris Johnson Jr. to leave Columbus as a graduate and a College Football Playoff National Champion, he was able to control what he could control. Johnson has already completed his undergraduate work and will be a lock to go in the top half of the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft should he declare. He projects as a top-three tackle this draft cycle.
As with pretty much anybody of note on the Ohio State roster, Johnson could return to school for one last ride, but a promising NFL future awaits him. Although it is not a particularly top-heavy draft for offensive tackle, as many as four or five could go in the first round. After Peter Skoronski of Northwestern, it would not be shocking for Johnson to hear his name called shortly thereafter.
A chance at winning a national title is one thing, but you cannot pass up generational money here.
Ohio State replacement for Paris Johnson Jr.: Zen Michalski
Though Josh Fryar will have to potentially replace Dawand Jones out at right tackle, the pressure is certainly on Zen Michalski on his quest to replace Johnson over at left tackle. He may be a grade younger than Fryar, but he had been serving as Johnson’s backup through the season. Ultimately, replacing a ton of pieces along the offensive line is never easy, but it is what Ohio State has to do.
One could argue that replacing Johnson at left tackle is the toughest challenge for the Buckeyes.