Larry Johnson has brought in at least one top-100 defensive line recruit every season since he arrived in Columbus in 2014.
That streak just stretched into the class of 2020 as the Buckeyes landed a commitment from Darrion Henry today, a 4-star defensive tackle from Cincinnati.
Committed‼️? #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/K81KJA8oZo
— D Hen? (@darrion_henry) June 29, 2019
Henry is ranked as the No. 121 overall player in the class by the 247 Composite, and the 2nd-best player in the state of Ohio behind OSU commit Paris Johnson. Rivals, however, ranks him as the No. 45 player in the class and the No. 3 strongside defensive end.
Henry is a standout for Princeton High School in the Queen City. He chose the Buckeyes over offers from schools like Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Florida State, Michigan, and Penn State.
His junior season highlights (embedded below) show him showcasing a combination of speed and power to dominate opposing linemen.
Henry repeatedly beats double-teams to rack up sacks and tackles for loss.
He also shows off his athletic ability as a tight end, getting downfield to catch crossing routes.
It’s worth noting that he’s doing all of this against some very good competition. Princeton plays in the highest division of Ohio high school football.
He lines up at both tackle and end at the high school level, but likely projects inside as a 3-tech for the Buckeyes. That’s the position played last season by Dre’Mont Jones. At 6-foot-4 and 279 lbs already, he could eventually grow into a nose tackle as well, the spot currently manned by Robert Landers.
Henry’s commitment is a big one for the Buckeyes’ 2020 class. That group is starting to fill up on the offensive side of the ball, and Henry is now the fifth defensive commit along with linebacker Cody Simon, cornerbacks Lejond Cavazos and Clark Phillips, and defensive end Ty Hamilton. Simon committed just hours before Henry.
It should also help relive some concerns about the status of Paris Johnson’s commitment. Johnson and Henry are close friends and will play together at Princeton this fall.
Both made multiple trips to SEC schools like Georgia and LSU after Urban Meyer’s retirement. But with Johnson still committed, and Henry now in the class as well, the Buckeyes have to be feeling a lot more confident in their chances to keep both of them.
He’s really polished with his eyes and below the waist. Once The Mentor gets him on campus he’ll learn the techniques to keep OLinemen from being able to get their hands under his pads. LJ’s hand technique is an art form that sets him apart and above every other line coach in the Country. The pairing of LJ and Darrion doesn’t just make sense. It makes PERFECT sense.
Welcome aboard Darrion, you just gained millions of fans!
Tremendous player and a big need.
Hope this commitment holds. Reasserting OSU in Southwest Ohio is key… that area has given us greats like Cris Carter, Jeff Graham, Jeff Cothran, Big Daddy, Braxton Miller, Jalen Marshall, A.J. Hawk, Nick Mangold, Will Allen, Devier Posey, etc. You gotta have a stronghold in Southwest Ohio (Cincinnati up to Dayton)