COLUMBUS, Ohio — Starting left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. announced he will be leaving Ohio State and entering the 2023 NFL Draft.
Johnson posted the announcement on his Twitter account Tuesday afternoon.
In his message, Johnson said he was thankful for the opportunity to play in the Horseshoe in front of the "best damn fans in the land."
"It has always been a dream of mine since I committed to the Ohio State University to leave with both my degree and a Buckeye tree," Johnson wrote. "I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to accomplish both in three years."
Johnson also thanked his family, his teammates, his coaches and training staff as well as the professors that taught him during his academic career.
He closed by saying he will forever bleed scarlet and gray and be eternally grateful for the experiences he shared in Columbus.
The Cincinnati native was a full-time starter for the last two seasons with the Buckeyes.
In 2021, he started in all 13 games at right guard where he earned second-team All-Big Ten honors.
This past season, Johnson moved to left tackle where he again started in every game. He was a consensus first-team All-American, first-team All-Big Ten and a semifinalist for the Outland Trophy.
For his efforts off the field, he was the recipient of the Armed Forces Merit Award this past year for his work with the Paris Johnson Jr. Foundation.
He established the foundation when he was in high school to help veterans, student-athletes and the homeless.