Signed: Paris Johnson Jr.

In a class loaded with star power, Cincinnati (Ohio) Princeton offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. is arguably the crown jewel. The five-star prospect and nation's top-ranked offensive tackle signed his paperwork with the Buckeyes on Wednesday morning and will report to the school in January.

Early on it looked like it could be a national recruiting battle for Johnson's services. But a surprise early commitment to Ohio State seemed to put an end to that idea. Then Urban Meyer retired.

Johnson never decommitted from Ohio State during a tumultuous few months where he visited several SEC programs, but a renewed perspective on what being a part of the Ohio State football program means and seeing the school and program as more than just a creation of Urban Meyer, led Johnson to reaffirm his pledge over the summer.

Johnson never stopped recruiting for Ohio State, however, even as he was looking around to make sure that Ohio State was the right fit and that Ryan Day was the right head coach.

Now Johnson is locked in officially with the program and he pulled no punches when it came to what he wants to see on his list of accomplishments when his three to four years is up.

"I want to be an All-American tackle who anchors a national championship offense," Johnson stated.

Recruiting victories don't come much bigger than the one the Buckeyes secured with Paris Johnson. The state's top prospect, the nation's top offensive tackle, and a guy who looks like he was built in a lab at one of the two or three most important positions on the field.

I never put too much pressure on true freshman offensive linemen, it is the position group that has the biggest learning curve and most physical development to go through from high school to college. But Johnson looks like a player that absolutely will not redshirt, regardless of what Thayer Munford decides to do.

Johnson is a player that should end up on the two-deep very early in his career and his potential is as high as any prospect in this class nationally. With elite size, elite athleticism, elite work ethic and character, this is a player that should be a star in Columbus.