Ohio State Buckeyes Sign Class of 2021 Defensive Back Jaylen Johnson

Jaylen Johnson officially signs on as a Buckeye defensive back as part of a loaded defensive back class.

The Ohio State Buckeyes have officially signed defensive back JAYLEN JOHNSON.

JOHNSON PROFILE

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
High School: La Salle

Height: 6-1
Weight: 200

Offers: Akron, Cincinnati, Indiana, Iowa State, Kentucky, Liberty, Louisville, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Toledo, West Virginia, Western Michigan

Verbal Commitment Date: January 7, 2020

Recruited By: Kerry Coombs, Al Washington

Composite: 3-star - No. 409 Overall

OHIO STATE OFFICIAL BIO AND STATS

Named to the 2020 Ohio MaxPreps all-state football team … the GCL co-Defensive Back of the Year and a first-team Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association Division II All-Southwest District selection … had 55 tackles for the Lancers and head coach Pat McLaughlin … as a junior in 2019, was a Division II second-team all-state selection and helped La Salle win a state championship, its fourth in the last six years … had 61 tackles (32 solo) and a forced fumble … La Salle’s defense posted three shutouts and allowed an average of just 10.6 points per game … is the son of Jarvis Johnson II.

SI ALL-AMERICAN EVALUATION

Johnson has a good skill set and already plays in a defensive structure that calls for a variety of coverage concepts and versatility. He’s asked to do different things, but his athleticism, instincts, awareness and competitiveness allow him to factor at a high clip. Johnson fits best as either a split safety to the field with the potential to move down in sub-packages or potentially as a Sam linebacker in today’s game.

JOHN GARCIA, SI ALL-AMERICAN, ON JOHNSON

Johnson has a college-ready frame today at 6-foot-1, north of 200 pounds. Perhaps it leads to a true hybrid or even in-the-box role down the line, something his football IQ and physicality could handle if asked. He's a calculated defensive back who can impact the run and pass game with efficiency. Will be interesting to see his physical development relative to where he lines up on D.

LIVE BLOG: Ohio State Football Coverage of National Signing Day 2020

-----

You may also like:

Film Room: Breaking Down Ohio State WR Commit Emeka Egbuka

Brian Hartline is a Semifinalist for National Assistant Coach of the Year

Justin Fields Leads Group of Twelve Buckeyes on All-Big Ten List

Ohio State Won't Make Excuses for Their Lack of Games Played

Players Families Will Be Allowed to Attend Big Ten Title Game in Indianapolis

-----

Be sure to stay locked into BuckeyesNow all the time!

Join the BuckeyesNow community!
Subscribe to the BuckeyesNow YouTube channel
Follow Brendan on Twitter: @brendangulick22
Follow BuckeyesNow on Twitter: @BuckeyesNowSI

Like and follow BuckeyesNow on Facebook