COLUMBUS, Ohio — Statistically, Xavier Johnson flies under the radar when it comes to talking about Ohio State’s wide receiver talent.
But to be fair to him, what he does for the Buckeyes’ offense is hard to put into a single category, both statistical or on the depth chart.
With a bevy of injuries on the offensive side of the ball last week against Purdue, including to one of the team’s starting wide receivers (Emeka Egbuka) and to the top three running backs (TreVeyon Henderson, Chip Trayanum and Miyan Williams), Johnson was called upon — to fill in for all of them.
He had one catch (for 21 yards) and had five carries (for 39 yards), as the Buckeyes relied on him to play a host of different slots on the field against the Boilermakers.
“I pride myself on doing whatever the team needs, helping in whatever capacity they see fit for me,” Johnson said Wednesday. “Having that ability to be applied to different places, do different things, that allows me to help the team in multiple ways. However they need me, I like to step into that role, own that role and take that role as seriously as I can.”
Against Penn State on Saturday, Ohio State might need him to play that role once again
Egbuka’s status remains unknown, and while all three running backs that missed time were seen walking off the field, their statuses remain unclear, too. If that’s the case, in the biggest spot of the season, Ohio State might need Johnson to play a handful of roles once again.
“I feel like I can help the team when I’m out there,” Johnson said. “I do enjoy those different things coach (Ryan) Day does, and he does a great job putting the plan together of whatever he sees fit for the team. Stepping into that role, trying to execute the best I can and being out there is definitely fun. I love the game of football. I love being out there with my brothers. Whenever I get the chance, I just try to maximize it.”
It’s been a long and winding journey for the sixth-year senior, one who turned away scholarship opportunities to walk-on at Ohio State so long ago that Urban Meyer was the coach.
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