Xavier Johnson

Position:
Wide Receiver
Height:
6-1
Weight:
210
Hometown:
Cincinnati, Ohio
Last School:
Summit Country Day
Year:
Graduate Student

Follow on Social Media
Twitter: @j5xavier
Instagram: @xavi.j1

Ohio State Overview
• Xavier played in six seasons with the Buckeyes and is one of only three players to letter five times; this because of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic that granted all athletes an additional year
• Xavier, Matt Jones and Josh Proctor all arrived on campus in 2018 and are the three who lettered five times between 2018 and 2023
• Initially a walk-on, Xavier's skill and football acumen earned him a full scholarship, status as a team captain and the honor of wearing the Block O jersey, awarded for toughness, accountability and the highest of character
• An incredibly valuable player who played in 56 games and started four times
• Provided outstanding play as a wide receiver and also a running back when called upon, and one of the top special teams players over the last four seasons
• Made his mark initially on special teams and by the end of his career had logged 924 special teams snaps across all four units
• Has even played some at cornerback for the Buckeyes
• He graduated in December 2021 with his degree in consumer and family financial services and is a four-time OSU Scholar-Athlete
• Was working on a master's degree in translational data analysis in the spring of 2024
• Totalled 346 rushing yards with one touchdown and an 8.4 yards per carry average (40 attempts) during his career.
• Also had 26 receptions for 329 yards and two touchdowns
• Returned 27 kickoffs for 582 yards, a 21.5 yards per return average
• Played in all 13 games for three consecutive years (2021-22-23)
• Third on the team in rushing as a senior in 2023 with 190 yards and also had 13 receptions for 178 yards
• Had a fine 2022 campaign when he played in all 13 games and had 146 yards rushing (off 12 carries for a 12.2 yards per carry average)
• Also caught 13 passes for 151 yards, an 11.6 yards per reception average
• Scored three touchdowns in 2022, including two in the biggest of games: a 24-yard TD reception to give Ohio State its first lead over Notre Dame; and a 37-yard TD reception with a 360-degree spin move against Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Peach Bowl to give Ohio State a 28-24 halftime lead
• His other touchdown was a team season-long rush of 71 yards vs. Indiana
• Played in all 13 games in 2021

Honors & Awards
2023: Graduated in May with his master's in translational data analytics
2023: Team captain, Block O honoree/recipient, OSU Scholar-Athlete
2022: OSU Scholar-Athlete
2021: Graduated in December with his degree in consumer and family financial services
2019: OSU Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-Big Ten
2018: OSU Scholar-Athlete

More on Xavier
• Played for head coach Justin Isaacs at Summit County Day in Cincinnati
• Three-star prospect who turned down scholarship offers from a host of schools to walk-on at Ohio State
• A versatile playmaker who scored touchdowns in five different ways as a senior – rushing, receiving, kickoff return, punt return and interception return
• Caught 32 passes for 766 yards and eight touchdowns while also adding 623 rushing yards and 10 TDs as a senior
• Averaged 17.3 yards per carry
• Scored six TDs via either punt or kick returns and had a 99-yard “pick six”
• A four-year starter in basketball
• Is the son of Jeffrey and Juanita Johnson