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Paris Johnson Jr.
Paris Johnson Jr.
from Wikipedia

Paris Johnson Jr. (born July 3, 2001) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was selected by the Cardinals sixth overall in the 2023 NFL draft. Johnson Jr. is the son of football player and coach Paris Johnson.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Johnson was born on July 3, 2001, in Cincinnati, Ohio.[1] He attended St. Xavier High School before transferring to Princeton High School as a senior in 2019, where he won the Anthony Muñoz Award.[2][3] The top-ranked offensive tackle of the class of 2020, he chose to attend Ohio State University.[4]

College career

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Johnson played in five games as a freshman in 2020, including at offensive guard due to an injury in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship, and started every game at right guard the following season.[2] He moved to left tackle as a junior in 2022, where he was named a consensus All-American.[4][5][6]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 6+38 in
(1.99 m)
313 lb
(142 kg)
36+18 in
(0.92 m)
9+12 in
(0.24 m)
9 ft 2 in
(2.79 m)
29 reps
All values from NFL Combine[7][8]

The Arizona Cardinals selected Johnson Jr. in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2023 NFL draft. [9][10] The Cardinals arranged a trade in order for them to secure the ability to acquire Johnson, by agreeing to send a first (12th overall), second (34th overall), and fifth round picks (168th overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Detroit Lions in exchange for their first (6th overall) and third round picks (81st overall).

As a rookie, he started in all 17 games at right tackle for the Cardinals in the 2023 season.[11] Following the release of longtime starter D. J. Humphries, Johnson was named the Cardinals' starting left tackle.

Johnson entered the 2025 campaign as one of Arizona's starting offensive linemen. On December 27, 2025, Johnson was placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a knee injury suffered in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams.[12]

Personal life

[edit]

Paris Johnson Jr. is the son of Paris Johnson, who was selected by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 1999 NFL draft as a safety and spent one season with them before being released.[13] He majored in journalism at Ohio State, writing several articles for their student newspaper The Lantern before graduating in December 2022.[2][14] Johnson founded a charity foundation under his name in high school; it was awarded the 2022 Armed Forces Merit Award for their work in raising more than $10,000 to assist military veterans, student-athletes, and the homeless.[15] He speaks Mandarin Chinese and some Portuguese, having studied the former since late childhood and the latter after gaining an interest in visiting Brazil.[16]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Paris Johnson Jr. (born July 3, 2001) is an offensive tackle for the of the (NFL). He played at , earning consensus All-American honors as a junior in 2022 after starting 13 games at left tackle, and was selected by the Cardinals with the sixth overall pick in the first round of the . Standing at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 325 pounds, Johnson has established himself as a versatile lineman, transitioning from right tackle in his rookie season to left tackle in 2024. A native of , , Johnson attended Princeton High School, where he was rated a five-star recruit and ranked as the top offensive tackle in the by major scouting services. During his senior year, he helped lead Princeton to an undefeated regular season and earned All- honors, showcasing elite athleticism with a 5.07-second at his pro day. Johnson committed to Ohio State over offers from programs like and , arriving as the No. 1 offensive line prospect in the nation. At Ohio State, Johnson redshirted in 2019 before appearing in four games as a true in 2020, primarily on special teams. He broke out in 2021 with 12 starts at right tackle, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors, and in 2022, he moved to left tackle, anchoring an offense that averaged over 40 points per game while receiving unanimous first-team All-American recognition from , the FWAA, and AFCA. Johnson declared for the NFL Draft after his junior year, forgoing his senior season, and graduated with a degree in in under three years. In the , Johnson signed a four-year, $28.2 million with the Cardinals and started all 17 games at right tackle during his 2023 debut season, allowing just two sacks in 1,097 pass-blocking snaps. He shifted to left tackle in 2024, starting 14 games before missing the final three due to injury, and was named a alternate. In the 2025 season, through nine games as of November 2025, Johnson earned a PFF overall grade of 81.1, ranking ninth among tackles in pass blocking. Off the field, Johnson launched the High School Offensive Lineman of the Year Award through his Paris Johnson Jr. Foundation in 2025.

Early years

Family background

Paris Johnson Jr. was born on July 3, 2001, in , , to mother Monica Daniels and father Sr. His father, Sr., was a former player at () and was selected in the fifth round of the by the as a , though he did not appear in a regular-season game. The Johnson family resided in the Cincinnati area throughout his childhood, with no notable relocations within documented during that period. received early exposure to athletics through his father's professional football background, which influenced his initial interest in sports from a young age. Johnson's early involvement in was shaped by his mother's example, as he volunteered with her at a local VA hospital, where hearing veterans' personal struggles fostered his lifelong passion for supporting military families and inspired his later philanthropic efforts. He began his education at St. Xavier High School in , attending for his first three years before transferring to Princeton High School for his senior year.

High school career

Paris Johnson Jr. began his high school football career at St. Xavier High School in , , where he initially played as a and offensive tackle during his freshman year. As a , he transitioned to the offensive line, a move that allowed him to leverage his growing 6-foot-6 frame and athleticism more effectively on the varsity squad. During his time at St. Xavier, Johnson earned significant recognition, including first-team Greater Catholic League South, all-city, all-Southwest District, and all- honors as a junior. Prior to his senior year, Johnson transferred to Princeton High School in , for the 2019 season to graduate early and enroll at State in December 2019, after St. Xavier denied his request to do so, seeking a fresh opportunity to showcase his skills as an offensive tackle. At Princeton, he quickly became a cornerstone of the ' offense, anchoring a line that supported an average of over 300 yards of total offense per game. His performance earned him preseason All-American honors from MaxPreps and , along with first-team all-Ohio selection. Under coach Mike Daniels, Johnson helped lead Princeton to a 6-4 regular-season record. The advanced to the OHSAA Division I playoffs but fell 7-30 to Colerain in the first round, finishing the year 6-5 overall. Johnson's dominant senior campaign solidified his status as a five-star recruit, ranked among the top offensive tackles nationally by major services. He capped his high school career by participating in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on January 4, 2020, showcasing his skills against the nation's elite prospects.

College career

Recruitment and Ohio State

Johnson emerged as a highly sought-after offensive tackle prospect in the class of 2020, earning five-star status and ranking as the No. 1 player at his position and No. 9 overall nationally according to . He garnered scholarship offers from nearly 50 programs, including prominent Power Five schools such as Michigan State, Georgia, , and Notre Dame. On June 28, 2018, during an unofficial visit to Columbus, Johnson verbally committed to , becoming the first pledge in the Buckeyes' 2020 recruiting class. Key factors in his decision included the in-state location, which kept him close to his roots, and the familial atmosphere fostered by the coaching staff under head coach . Although Meyer retired shortly after, Johnson reaffirmed his commitment to new head coach Ryan Day, citing the program's culture and the staff's emphasis on player development as enduring appeals. To accelerate his transition to , Johnson transferred high schools from St. Xavier to Princeton in , enabling him to graduate early. He officially signed with Ohio State during the early signing period on December 18, 2019, and enrolled as an early admit in January 2020. This allowed him to join spring practices and team meetings ahead of the 2020 season, providing valuable exposure to the Buckeyes' offensive schemes without immediate game action. Academically, Johnson distinguished himself at Ohio State by pursuing language studies alongside his football commitments; he achieved fluency in Mandarin Chinese and began learning Portuguese, reflecting his interest in global communication and cultural exchange.

On-field performance and achievements

During his freshman season in 2020, Paris Johnson Jr. appeared in five games for the Ohio State Buckeyes, primarily providing depth on the offensive line and special teams while the team navigated a condensed schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic; he logged just 26 total snaps, including time at guard in the College Football Playoff National Championship game due to an injury, as the Buckeyes captured the Big Ten Conference championship and advanced to the College Football Playoff National Championship game. In 2021, as a sophomore, Johnson transitioned to a starting role at right guard, where he started all 13 games and contributed to Ohio State's offense ranking first nationally in total yards per game (561.5) and points per game (45.7), earning him second-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches. Johnson showcased positional versatility throughout his college career, playing interior line positions early before shifting to the tackle spot; in 2022, he moved to left tackle and started all 13 games there, anchoring an offense that finished ninth nationally in total offense (490.7 yards per game) and second in scoring (44.2 points per game), while allowing only 12 sacks over the season. His performance that year included 757 snaps, with Pro Football Focus grading him at 79.1 overall as a guard in 2021 and an 83.5 in run blocking at tackle in 2022, highlighting his efficiency in pass protection and run support without allowing a sack in multiple games. Johnson's senior season culminated in widespread recognition, as he earned unanimous first-team All-American honors from the Walter Camp Foundation, , and , along with first-team All-Big Ten selections from both coaches and media; these accolades underscored his pivotal role in Ohio State's contention for a national title, finishing the year ranked No. 5 nationally despite a late-season loss. Over his three seasons, he accumulated 26 consecutive starts from 2021 to 2022, contributing to the Buckeyes' consistent top-tier offensive output and their repeated appearances in high-stakes bowl games.

Professional career

2023 NFL Draft and rookie season

Johnson entered the as a highly regarded offensive tackle prospect, measuring 6 feet 6 inches tall and 313 pounds at the , with 36⅛-inch arms and 9½-inch hands. He opted out of on-field drills at the Combine but showcased his skills during Ohio State's pro day on March 22, 2023, where he weighed 311 pounds and participated in position-specific workouts, demonstrating fluid movement and recovery ability. Scouting reports praised his exceptional athleticism, including quick feet, long reach, and range in pass protection, positioning him as a potential top-10 pick, though evaluators noted areas for refinement such as hand placement, anchor strength against bull rushes, and maintaining leverage to avoid getting upright. The selected Johnson with the sixth overall pick in the first round of the on , after trading up from No. 12, marking him as the first offensive lineman off the board. He signed his rookie contract on May 11, a four-year deal valued at $28,052,460 with a $17,401,784 , fully guaranteed at the league maximum for his draft slot. As a , Johnson transitioned to right tackle for the Cardinals, starting all 17 games and participating in 100% of the team's 1,133 offensive snaps. He was flagged for 6 penalties and surrendered eight sacks. Pro Football Focus graded him 60.1 overall for the season, with a 62.4 pass-blocking grade reflecting solid protection but room for growth in run blocking at 57.8.

2024–present seasons

In 2024, Paris Johnson Jr. transitioned from right tackle to left tackle for the , a move that allowed him to leverage his athleticism more effectively in pass protection while showing marked improvements in run blocking. He started all 14 games he appeared in that season before sustaining a knee injury in Week 15 that sidelined him for the final three contests. This shift contributed to the Cardinals' offense amassing 6,090 net yards, the fifth-highest total in franchise history, with Johnson earning an overall (PFF) grade of 80.8, a significant jump from his rookie-year mark of 60.1. Through the first 10 games of the 2025 season as of November 19, Johnson has solidified his role as the Cardinals' starting left tackle, appearing in nine contests after missing Week 3 due to a issue. His performance has been among the league's elite, posting PFF grades of 81.1 overall (10th among offensive tackles), 81.1 in pass blocking (9th), and 75.9 in run blocking (16th) as of that date, helping anchor an offensive line that supports quarterback Kyler Murray's protection in a 3-7 team start. These metrics highlight his growth into a cornerstone protector, particularly in sustaining blocks against edge rushers. Across his first three NFL seasons, Johnson has played in 40 games, starting all of them, with his injury history limited to knee-related absences totaling five missed games. The Cardinals, under head coach , have relied on his consistency to stabilize the line amid a rebuilding phase, contributing to incremental improvements in offensive output despite the team's middling record. Looking ahead, Johnson's contract includes a fifth-year option for 2027 that the Cardinals can exercise by May 2026, potentially securing him through age 26 at a projected value around $19 million based on his first-round draft status and performance trajectory. His rising PFF rankings position him as a Pro Bowl candidate, with analysts noting his potential to become one of the NFL's top tackles if he maintains health and continues elevating the Cardinals' line play.

Personal life and philanthropy

Family and education

Paris Johnson Jr. maintains a close relationship with his , Monica Daniels, who has been a pivotal influence in his life decisions and provided substantial support throughout his development, including selling her house to aid his football aspirations. He also has a younger , Sydney Johnson, who has been actively supportive of his endeavors by attending various events and sharing family experiences. The Johnson emphasizes strong interpersonal bonds, with traditions centered on mutual encouragement and shared activities beyond athletics. Johnson graduated from Princeton High School in , , where he balanced academics with extracurriculars. At , he pursued a degree in , completing his bachelor's in under three years while maintaining his athletic commitments. Beyond football, Johnson is multilingual, having become fluent in after studying it since fifth grade and currently learning to facilitate potential travel to . His interests include cultural exploration, such as learning dancing, and he identifies as a history buff, often delving into global historical topics.

Paris Johnson Jr. Foundation

The Paris Johnson Jr. Foundation was established during Paris Johnson Jr.'s high school years in , , initially aimed at supporting underprivileged student-athletes and homeless veterans. The organization's mission is to empower and serve disabled veterans and disadvantaged youth athletes with dignity and respect, providing resources in areas such as , , and to help them overcome challenges and build brighter futures. Key initiatives of the foundation include annual community events and targeted donations, particularly in the area, such as turkey distributions for , holiday toy drives, and "Feed the Need" gatherings to address food insecurity among families and veterans. In 2025, the foundation launched the inaugural Ohio High School Offensive Lineman of the Year Award to recognize senior players who excel in protecting teammates on the field while demonstrating leadership in their schools and communities. Additional efforts have involved partnerships, such as collaborations with to fund and support for local charities through events like holiday gift distributions. The foundation received the 2022 Armed Forces Merit Award from the , recognizing its contributions to veterans and others in need, including raising over $10,000 and hosting multiple events. By 2022, the organization had raised approximately $15,000, hosted nine events, and supported five charities, impacting over 100 veterans and 250 student-athletes through provisions like educational resources and athletic opportunities. Johnson's mother serves as an associate director, contributing to the foundation's operations alongside family involvement.

References

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