Only three positions have been drafted No. 1 this century: quarterback, defensive end and offensive tackle. When it comes to the tackle position, a quarterback’s backside protector, usually the left tackle, brings the highest value, and a pair of prospects in the 2020 class have shown elite talent at that position. Rivals.com analysts Josh Helmholdt and Chad Simmons debate why each deserves consideration for No. 1 overall at the position.
Rivals Rankings Week:
Monday: Updated Top 10 revealed
Tuesday: Updated 2020 Rivals100
Wednesday: Up[dated 202 Rivals250
Thursday: Updated position rankings
HELMHOLDT'S VIEW: PARIS JOHNSON, JR.
A summer Ohio State commitment, Johnson emerged early in his high school career after displaying elite athleticism in the prototypical offensive tackle body. The one question coming out of his sophomore season was whether Johnson would develop the strength to handle elite defensive ends. It was the one aspect of his game lacking as a sophomore, but as a junior those questions were erased as a bigger, stronger Johnson dominated foes.
While Johnson has natural traits like size and athleticism in spades, what makes the Cincinnati native a truly elite level prospect at the position is his mentality. The way he plays the game attests to the pride he has in keeping his quarterback’s jersey clean. He plays with a healthy combination of discipline and aggression, but when he has a chance to finish a block and punish his opponent, you can tell he relishes the opportunity.
Johnson was close with Urban Meyer and last week’s announcement that the Buckeyes' head coach would be retiring following the Rose Bowl hit the in-state commitment hard. Ohio State hosted Johnson over the weekend for an unofficial visit to give him a chance to get comfortable with new head coach Ryan Day. It is unlikely another program will ultimately be able to steal Johnson away from the Buckeyes, but the loss of Meyer does make it a more plausible scenario
SIMMONS' VIEW: MYLES HINTON
There is another Hinton to know this cycle, and this time, it is Myles Hinton. His brother Christopher Hinton will sign with Michigan this month as a defensive end, but the younger Hinton shines on the other side of the ball.
The offensive tackle position is strong across the board in 2020 and Hinton is among the best. Hinton checks many, if not all of the boxes for elite offensive tackles. He has the size, the feet, the agility, the length, the power and the smarts. He knows the position, and he plays it at a very high level. It does not hurt that his father played in the NFL for many years, too. The only question there could be about Hinton is his health. He has had shoulder issues in the past, including minor surgery this fall that caused him to miss a handful of games. Despite that, he is a tackle that looks to be destined to play on Sundays.
Michigan and Stanford look to be battling it out early on.
