Scarlet Sunrise: Ohio State hires Larry Johnson's son Tony as analyst

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Ohio State hires Larry Johnson’s son Tony as analyst

Ohio State still needs to fill its 10th and final assistant coaching position. Will the Buckeyes promote from within on the defensive side of the ball, make an outside defensive hire or bring aboard another special teams coordinator? That’s the question.

In the meantime, the staff got a little bigger in another capacity.

Ohio State has hired Tony Johnson, the son of longtime Buckeyes defensive line coach Larry Johnson, as an analyst. Eleven Warriors was first to report the news, and Lettermen Row confirmed it.

Tony played wide receiver for Penn State from 2000-03. While on the Nittany Lions, he reeled in 107 passes for 1,702 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Back then, Larry was Penn State’s D-Line coach. He was on staff in State College from 1996-2013 before making the move to Columbus.

Tony coached at Olentangy Berkshire Middle School in Galena, Ohio, the last two years, but this will be his first job on a college football staff.

And now, like his college days, he’ll be reunited with his father on the football field.

Addition of Quinshon Judkins a credit to TreVeyon Henderson’s selfless leadership

Ohio State will enter the 2024 season with arguably the best running back tandem in college football. TreVeyon Henderson is a big reason why.

Not only did Henderson decide to return to the Buckeyes for his senior season, but he also was all in on the team adding former Ole Miss star Quinshon Judkins in the transfer portal.

Head coach Ryan Day effused about Henderson’s growing leadership as he transitions into his fourth year with the program.

For the full story, go here.

Devin Brown is healthy again, showing ‘really good leadership’ in Ohio State winter workouts

Devin Brown was put through the wringer last season.

He fractured his pinkie finger on his throwing hand and missed the end of spring ball, including the spring game. Then he lost the quarterback battle to Kyle McCord, despite leading at one point of the longstanding competition.

By midseason, Day carved out a red zone package for Brown, but, after enjoying some initial success, Brown suffered the first of his two ankle injuries. The second spoiled his first career start — in the Cotton Bowl, no less — and first audition to be the Buckeyes’ quarterback in 2024.

But Brown is healthy again, and, according to Day, he’s showing “really good leadership” in Ohio State’s winter workouts. He’s fighting for another chance in a room with five scholarship quarterbacks, two of whom the Buckeyes brought in through the transfer portal this offseason.

Head on over here for the full story.

RELATED

• Buckeyes must be organized in spring with crowded quarterback room

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Akron: 199 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 290 days

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