Ohio State
He had a key touchdown reception against Notre Dame, zigzagged 71 yards for a touchdown against Indiana and snagged a 37-yard touchdown catch – capped by a nifty spin move – to give Ohio State a halftime lead against Georgia in a College Football Playoff semifinal.
But now Johnson wants even more. That's why he returned for a sixth Buckeye season. He'd like to earn an even bigger role as a player and vocal leader.
“It was a lot of conversation, a lot of prayer, a lot of trying to glean information from people who've been there,” Johnson said of his decision to return.
He talked to people he trusted, such as former walk-on receiver C.J. Saunders and former staffer Ryan Stamper, as well as coach Ryan Day and offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Brian Hartline.
“Coach Day and coach Hart, they laid out a plan that they have for me, and I was very comfortable with the plan that they had set before me,” Johnson said. “I just kind of felt like there was some more 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 all those things are within reach, so coming back was the best choice for me. I think I can really help this team this year.”
Johnson is with the wide receivers this spring, though he's open to playing running back if needed. Both positions are loaded with talent, but Johnson has proven he's capable at either spot.
“Xavier is awesome,” Hartline said. “The growth he's had over the last 12-18 months has been awesome. A true offensive weapon, with his ability to be an elite receiver and also go in the backfield and carry the football and pick up protections. There are so many things that young man brings to the table.”
Johnson, an OSU Scholar-athlete for earning at least a 3.0 grade-point average, completed his degree in December 2021 in consumer and family financial services. He wants to serve as an inspiration for kids who face uphill battles on or off the field.
“When I came as a walk-on, of course, I had high hopes for myself,” Johnson said. “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. When I came out on the back end, I wasn't necessarily surprised, but I was definitely grateful.”
Now he's eager for one last ride. “Outside those white lines, he is a great young man – Kam Babb-ish,” Hartline said, referring to the Buckeye receiver who endured four ACL injuries to become a beloved captain. “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.”