Paris Johnson Jr., an offensive tackle for the Arizona Cardinals, was inducted into the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Circle of Champions as part of the 2026 class, according to an April 13 announcement. Johnson, who is set to begin his fourth season in the National Football League this fall, reflected on how his high school experiences shaped his football career and personal development.
The OHSAA Circle of Champions honors individuals who have made significant contributions to athletics in Ohio. The recognition highlights not only athletic achievement but also character and community involvement. “I would just say that my high school development has allowed me to turn into the man I’ve become,” Johnson said. He described Cincinnati football as highly competitive and credited both St. Xavier and Princeton High Schools for helping him grow as a player.
Johnson played three seasons at Cincinnati St. Xavier before transferring to Princeton for his senior year, where he helped lead teams through state tournaments administered by OHSAA. The association conducts championship tournaments in 24 sports and promotes excellence and school pride according to its official website. It also fosters values such as sportsmanship, citizenship, and character development through athletics according to its official website.
After graduating early from Princeton, Johnson enrolled at Ohio State University in January 2020 and participated in national events such as the All-American Bowl while earning several individual honors during his high school career. At Ohio State, he became a starter on the offensive line, earned All-American status as a junior, graduated with a degree in Journalism in less than three years, and was selected sixth overall by Arizona in the 2023 NFL Draft—the highest-drafted offensive lineman from Ohio State since Orlando Pace.
In addition to athletic accomplishments, Johnson established the Paris Johnson Jr. Foundation with his mother Monica Daniels to support veterans and disadvantaged youth athletes; their efforts were recognized with the Armed Forces Merit Award from the Football Writers Association of America in November 2022.
The OHSAA supports member schools across public and private sectors statewide by administering rules for interscholastic sports since its founding in 1907 according to its official website. It upholds ethics under its motto ‘Respect the Game’ according to its official website, provides scholarships annually according to its official website, affiliates with national organizations like NFHS according to its official website, collaborates with educational groups according to its official website, and works continually toward enhancing opportunities for students through interscholastic activities statewide.
“To be included in (the Circle of Champions) is amazing,” Johnson said about receiving this honor so early in his professional career.
