SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio – St. Xavier junior offensive lineman Paris Johnson was named to the MaxPreps High School Football Preseason Junior All-American Team this week.
Johnson, who is verbally committed to Ohio State, is one of only two Ohio players among the 60 selected nationally (first and second team) in the 2020 class by MaxPreps.
Johnson, who is 6 feet 7 ¼ and 290 pounds, was the only Ohio player named to the first team.
“The 2020 Ohio State commit is the complete package,” MaxPreps wrote in its evaluation. “He leads the way for a very impressive 2020 Class of Ohio State, which currently has the second-best class on 247Sports.”
Pickerington Central quarterback Demeatric Crenshaw, who led the Tigers to the Division I state title in 2017, was named to the second team.
Johnson, ranked Ohio’s No. 1 player overall in the 2020 class by 247Sports, became the area’s first player to commit to the 2020 All-American Bowlthis past March.
Mark Porter, Director of ScoutingOhio.com, told WCPO in March that Johnson looks like he could play left tackle for any college program right now.
"He has all the tools," Porter said. "He's an unreal athlete for his size. As he gets stronger he will be one of the most dominating linemen in the country. He's an awesome pass protector."
St. Xavier, a 2017 Division I regional finalist and Greater Catholic League South Division outright champion, had an 11-2 record in 2017. St. X, which has nine consecutive postseason appearances, opens the season against Lakota West Aug. 24 at Paul Brown Stadium.
