Paris Johnson Jr. is one of seven semifinalists for the Outland Trophy, which honors college football’s best lineman.
Ohio State’s starting left tackle joins TCU guard Steve Avila, Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter, Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey of Pitt, Michigan center Olusegun Oluwatimi, Northwestern offensive tackle Peter Skoronski of Northwestern and Minnesota center John Michael Schmitz as candidates to win the award. Defensive ends are not eligible to win the Outland Trophy.
Johnson, who is a semifinalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award, has started all 10 games at left tackle for Ohio State this season. The projected first-round NFL draft pick has been dominant as a pass blocker, allowing only eight hurries and zero sacks on 316 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Johnson is among a long list of Ohio State players who are either finalists or semifinalists for national awards that also includes seven other Buckeyes:
- QB C.J. Stroud: Maxwell Award (semifinalist), Walter Camp Player of the Year (semifinalist), Davey O’Brien Award (semifinalist), Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (finalist)
- WR Marvin Harrison Jr.: Maxwell Award (semifinalist), Walter Camp Player of the Year (semifinalist)
- WR Emeka Egbuka: Paul Hornung Award (finalist)
- WR Kamryn Babb: Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year (semifinalist)
- TE Cade Stover: John Mackey Award (semifinalist)
- LT Paris Johnson Jr.: Outland Trophy (semifinalist), Rotary Lombardi Award (semifinalist)
- LB Tommy Eichenberg: Chuck Bednarik Award (semifinalist), Butkus Award (semifinalist), Lott IMPACT Trophy (semifinalist)
- S Lathan Ransom: Jim Thorpe Award (semifinalist)
