Xavier Johnson named Ohio State football's Block O recipient for 2023 season

The Ohio State wide receiver room is full of elite recruits, even by the Buckeyes’ lofty standards.

Such is the way receivers coach/offensive coordinator Brian Hartline has attracted 4- and 5-star talent to his unit.

And then there’s Xavier Johnson.

Johnson was a walk-on out of Cincinnati Summit Country Day. In fact, Hartline didn’t even recruit him. Johnson is the last remaining player from OSU’s 2018 recruiting class under Urban Meyer and then-receivers coach Zach Smith.

From that humble beginning, Johnson has risen to the pinnacle in terms of respect from his teammates and coaches. The sixth-year receiver will wear the coveted Block O jersey this season, OSU announced Saturday.

The Block O jersey honor began three years ago to honor the legacy of Buckeye legend Bill Willis, who helped permanently break the color barrier in pro football and became a Pro Football and College Football hall of famer. Defensive end Jonathon Cooper, offensive lineman Thayer Munford and wide receiver Kamryn Babb are the previous honorees.

This spring, Hartline invoked Babb, who persevered through four ACL injuries, when discussing Johnson.

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“Outside those white lines, he is a great young man – Kam Babb-ish,” Hartline said in March. “Kam Babb created a standard. X is in line with all that, with some other guys, too. A big man of faith, a great leader with the young guys, willing to speak up. The future’s bright for Xavier.”

Johnson almost didn’t make it past his first season. Buried on the depth chart, Johnson was discouraged about his chances to make an impact. A conversation with Meyer, who told him he could eventually earn a role, persuaded Johnson to stay.

“When I came as a walk-on, of course, I had high hopes for myself,” Johnson said in March. “I thought I was going to come here and take the world by storm. That was my goal. When it didn't happen, it did get bleak for a minute. I kind of lost that same desire.

“But I was blessed enough to have great people in my life and to have a strong foundation in my faith. A lot of prayers led me to the fact that I was going to keep hitting that rock.

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He earned a scholarship in 2021. Johnson graduated that December as an OSU Scholar-Athlete with a degree in consumer and family financial services.

Last year, he proved invaluable as a hybrid receiver/running back after the backfield was depleted by injuries. Johnsonhad a crucial 24-yard touchdown pass to give the Buckeyes the lead in a 21-10 win over Notre Dame and a 37-yard touchdown catch capped by a spin move to give OSU the halftime lead against Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinal.

He also recorded six special-teams tackles in both 2021 and ’22.

Thanks to the extra year of eligibility allowed because of COVID, Johnson is now taking advantage of a sixth year of eligibility.

“Coach Day and coach Hart, they laid out a plan that they have for me,” Johnson said, “and I was very comfortable with the plan they had set before me. I just kind of felt like there was some meat left on the bone. There are still a couple of things that I want to do at Ohio State, and I feel like those things are all within reach, so coming back was the best choice for me.”

One of the biggest honors has just been achieved.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Xavier Johnson earns coveted Block O honor for Ohio State