Since drafting Paris Johnson Jr. sixth overall in 2023, the Arizona Cardinals have steadily built a strong Ohio State presence on their roster. Johnson was initially one of just two Buckeyes on the team, but by 2025, Arizona added Marvin Harrison Jr. (2024), Cody Simon, and Denzel Burke (2025), along with Baron Browning and Josh Fryar. With six Ohio State alumni now on board, the Cardinals are beginning to resemble a professional extension of the Buckeyes, reinforcing familiar culture and chemistry for players like Johnson.
The sense of continuity deepened when Arizona hired Justin Frye, Johnson’s former Ohio State offensive line coach, to oversee their NFL front five. Johnson was thrilled about the reunion, expressing how natural it felt to return to familiar techniques and terminology. The comfort of Frye’s system offers Johnson a chance to rediscover the training that originally propelled him into the NFL, creating optimism for a performance leap.
Frye’s Longstanding Mentorship Gives Johnson Stability, Confidence Entering 2025 NFL Season
Frye and Johnson’s relationship dates back to high school when Frye, then coaching at UCLA, first recruited him. Their bond only strengthened at Ohio State, especially in 2022 when Johnson transitioned to left tackle under Frye’s guidance. That season, Johnson became a consensus All-American and a semifinalist for two major national awards. Frye’s coaching played a pivotal role in Johnson’s rapid development and national recognition.
For the first time since 2019, Johnson enters a season without changing positions. After cycling through right guard, left tackle, and both tackle spots in college and the NFL, he’ll remain at left tackle for a second consecutive year in 2025. This consistency is a welcome change for Johnson, who’s aiming to break out and establish himself among the NFL’s elite tackles.
Johnson Refines Technique, Reconnects With Frye to Reach His Full NFL Potential
Johnson’s performance in 2024 was solid, earning respectable grades from Pro Football Focus in both pass and run blocking. Still, he believes his ceiling is much higher. He spent the offseason refining fundamentals with experts like former Buckeye LeCharles Bentley and eagerly awaits applying Frye’s drills and insight again. Although NFL rules limit offseason work with coaches, Johnson maintained communication and even hosted Frye at his home to strengthen their working relationship.
Frye has noticed Johnson’s transformation into a self-sufficient pro who actively studies and critiques his own performance. Their communication, built on years of familiarity, is described as seamless and highly effective. With Johnson’s game maturing and Frye’s guidance returning at the NFL level, the duo hopes to recreate the dominant results of their Ohio State days—this time with the Cardinals and on football’s biggest stage.
