Ohio State CB JK Johnson commits to LSU
LSU has landed another cornerback from the NCAA Transfer Portal.
Ohio State cornerback JK Johnson, who entered the portal on January 3, has committed to the Tigers and will join the roster for the 2023 season.
Johnson, who redshirted in 2021 and started five games for the Buckeyes in 2022, has three years of eligibility remaining.
Johnson made a weekend trip to Baton Rouge ahead of his decision, which gave the Missouri native a chance to get an up-close look at the LSU program under head coach Brian Kelly.
It also gave him the chance to see some familiar faces.
LSU cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples, who recruited the Ohio State transfer to LSU, was Johnson’s head coach at DeSmet High in St. Louis.
Johnson graduated in 2021 in the same DeSmet class as current LSU defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo, who transferred to Baton Rouge a year ago after beginning his career at Missouri. The Tigers just added another DeSmet product in December with the addition of tight end Mac Markway.
Johnson’s commitment to LSU gives the Tigers two Ohio State defensive backs in two season from the portal. LSU landed Ohio State cornerback Sevyn Banks out of the portal a year ago.
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Johnson left high school as the No. 69 player in the country in the class of 2021, according to On3. That ranking put him as the No. 6 cornerback in the cycle and the No. 1 player in the state of Missouri. The DeSmet (St. Louis) product finished his Ohio State career with 22 total tackles and no interceptions with 15 games played and five starts.
LSU’s cornerback total through the portal this offseason now sits at four, with Johnson joining former Texas A&M cornerback Denver Harris, former Southeastern cornerback Zy Alexander and former Syracuse cornerback Duce Chestnut.
The Tigers have now landed nine total players through the portal.
“This group helps fill some immediate needs for our team,” LSU head coach Brian Kelly said. “Our staff did a great job of vetting each of these players to make sure they fit our program, not only from an ability standpoint, but more importantly, ensuring they are high character young men who are committed to academics.
“It’s important that when you add transfers to your roster, they have the traits we are looking for as we continue our mission to Graduate Champions. Along with the outstanding group of freshmen we signed (in December), we feel with this group of young men will significantly improve our roster for the present and the future of LSU football.”
