Paris Johnson Jr. Bio
Paris Johnson Jr. 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, and he has quickly become one of the young cornerstones of the Arizona offensive line.
Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 325 pounds, Johnson Jr. is known for his size, athleticism, and football intelligence. After earning consensus All-American honors at Ohio State, he transitioned to the professional ranks and has started every game he has appeared in for the Cardinals.
Early Life and Background
Paris Johnson Jr. was born on July 3, 2001, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He grew up in a football household as the son of Paris Johnson, a former professional player and coach, which gave him an early appreciation for the game. That family connection to football helped shape his work ethic and competitive drive from a young age.
Johnson attended St. Xavier High School before transferring to Princeton High School in Sharonville, Ohio, as a senior in 2019. At Princeton, he won the Anthony Muñoz Award, given to the top high school offensive lineman in the Cincinnati area, capping a prep career that established him as a blue-chip recruit. He finished as the top-ranked offensive tackle of the 2020 class and chose to attend Ohio State University.
Path to American Football
Johnson’s path to becoming a top NFL prospect was built on steady development through high school and college. He arrived at Ohio State as a highly regarded recruit and was expected to compete for early playing time along a deep offensive line. His size, quick feet, and willingness to play multiple positions helped him stand out.
He saw action in five games as a freshman in 2020 and contributed at offensive guard during the College Football Playoff. By his sophomore season, he was a full-time starter at right guard, showing the versatility NFL scouts look for in offensive linemen. Those early steps at Ohio State laid the foundation for his eventual move to the national spotlight.
Paris Johnson Jr. Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
During his first two seasons at Ohio State, Johnson focused on building a strong technical base. He started every game at right guard in 2021 and earned Second-team All-Big Ten recognition for his play. Coaches praised his ability to handle both power and speed rushers from the interior.
As he developed, Johnson showed the kind of consistency and toughness that has long defined successful NFL offensive linemen. By the end of the 2021 season, he was viewed as one of the top offensive line prospects in college football, and the Ohio State staff began discussing a position change to tackle.
Ohio State Breakthrough (2022)
Johnson moved to left tackle as a junior in 2022 and immediately elevated his game. He was named a consensus All-American, becoming one of the most decorated linemen in the country. He also earned First-team All-Big Ten honors for his dominant play at his new position.
His combination of size, technique, and athleticism made him a top NFL prospect heading into the 2023 draft. His play at left tackle was a key reason Ohio State remained a championship contender, and he finished his college career with a strong postseason showing that cemented his draft stock.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2023–Present)
The Arizona Cardinals selected Paris Johnson Jr. in the first round, sixth overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. The Cardinals arranged a trade with the Detroit Lions, sending picks 12, 34, and 168 in exchange for picks 6 and 81, in order to secure Johnson. The move signaled the franchise’s commitment to building around a young, talented offensive line.
As a rookie in 2023, he started all 17 games at right tackle, an impressive showing for a first-year player. Following the release of longtime starter D. J. Humphries, Johnson was named the Cardinals’ starting left tackle, taking on the most important role on the offensive line. He has continued to anchor Arizona’s front.
In the 2025 season, Johnson entered the year as one of Arizona’s starting offensive linemen. On December 27, 2025, he was placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a knee injury suffered in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams. On April 16, 2026, the Cardinals exercised the 19 million dollar fifth-year option of his rookie contract, signaling their long-term commitment to him.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although he is an offensive lineman rather than a driver, Johnson is recognized for his ability to handle a variety of pass-rush styles. He shows strength in run blocking, quick feet in pass protection, and the intelligence to adjust protections at the line of scrimmage. Coaches have praised his leadership and communication with the rest of Arizona’s offensive line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Johnson’s most significant milestone came when he was selected sixth overall in the 2023 NFL draft, the highest-drafted offensive lineman for the Cardinals in years. He also became a consensus All-American at Ohio State in 2022, a rare honor for an offensive lineman. Starting all 17 games as a rookie and being named the franchise left tackle soon after further highlighted his rapid rise.
Paris Johnson Jr. Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Paris Johnson Jr.’s career is measured less in individual victories and more in protecting quarterbacks and opening running lanes. He earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2021 and First-team All-Big Ten and consensus All-American honors in 2022, marking the major awards of his college career. He has been a reliable starter for the Arizona Cardinals since 2023.
Ohio State Highlights
Johnson’s college highlights include starting every game at right guard in 2021 and moving to left tackle in 2022, where he was named a consensus All-American. His play at left tackle helped anchor one of the top offensive lines in the Big Ten. He also contributed during Ohio State’s run to the College Football Playoff as a freshman in 2020.
Other Performances
Beyond his college accolades, Johnson earned the Anthony Muñoz Award in high school and was recognized as the top-ranked offensive tackle in his recruiting class. He founded a charity foundation in high school that received the 2022 Armed Forces Merit Award for its work supporting military veterans, student-athletes, and the homeless.
Paris Johnson Jr. Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Paris Johnson Jr. comes from a strong football family. His father, Paris Johnson, was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round of the 1999 NFL draft as a safety and spent one season with the team before being released. He later became a coach, helping guide his son’s development in the sport.
Personal Life
Johnson majored in journalism at Ohio State and wrote several articles for the student newspaper The Lantern before graduating in December 2022. He speaks Mandarin Chinese and some Portuguese, having studied the former since late childhood and the latter after gaining an interest in visiting Brazil. He founded a charity foundation under his name in high school.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Paris Johnson Jr. as one of Arizona’s starting offensive linemen and a key figure in the team’s offensive plans. He was expected to anchor the left tackle position and provide stability for a developing Cardinals offense. Through the early part of the season, he continued to build on his reputation as a dependable starter.
His 2025 campaign was cut short in Week 14 when he suffered a knee injury against the Los Angeles Rams, leading to a placement on season-ending injured reserve on December 27, 2025. The injury was a significant blow to the Cardinals’ offensive line down the stretch of the season.
Looking ahead, the Cardinals exercised the fifth-year option of Johnson’s rookie contract on April 16, 2026, keeping him under team control through 2027. With his long-term future secured, Johnson is expected to return healthy and remain a foundational piece of Arizona’s offensive line as the franchise continues building around its young core.