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Xavier Johnson discusses staying the course, stepping up in key moment for Ohio State in Week 1
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Xavier Johnson stepped into the spotlight with some key plays during Ohio State’s Week 1 win over Notre Dame. However, those moments were a long time coming.
A member of the 2018 recruiting class, Johnson was mainly a special teams contributor for the Buckeyes until catching a go-ahead touchdown pass from CJ Stroud late in the third quarter. Though some injuries to the receiver room paved the way, Johnson stepped up when the time came.
After the game, Johnson admitted there were times along his Ohio State journey that he contemplated “throwing in the towel.” But after sticking things out, he has an early signature moment to the 2022 season.
Xavier Johnson said he thought he would “shock the world” when he came in as a freshman. There were nights where he was thinking about “throwing in the towel” and days where he had “a foot out the door,” but he stayed the course and reaped the rewards tonight.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) September 4, 2022
After the touchdown catch, Johnson stepped back into his role on the kickoff coverage unit and was in on the tackle. Johnson simply said he was in his position doing what he’s been coached to do.
Xavier Johnson on following his touchdown with a kickoff return tackle: “I was in my position doing what I was coached to do.”
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) September 4, 2022
Head coach Ryan Day also praised Johnson after the game, calling him a bit of a “throwback” player for the Buckeyes. Quarterback CJ Stroud also said Johnson “is a dog” and discussed his leadership.
C.J. Stroud says "Xavier Johnson is a dog. … He was one of the first people to take me under his wing when I first got to school."
— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) September 4, 2022
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.