Over a week ago, I mocked Boston College offensive guard Zion Johnson to the Bucs. A few days later, Pro Bowl left guard Ali Marpet announced his shocking retirement. That move sent some shockwaves through the 27th overall selection in many mock drafts, as the Bucs face massive holes on their interior offensive line. In addition to Marpet’s retirement, center Ryan Jensen and right guard Alex Cappa are pending free agents.

It’s no surprise Tampa Bay has met with a few offensive linemen at the Combine, most notably Johnson. The hulking Golden Eagle guard landed a formal interview with Tampa Bay this week, even meeting head coach Bruce Arians.

“I actually did meet with the Bucs,” Johnson said. “It was really good. I got to talk to Coach Arians in a formal interview with them. I definitely feel I could [plug into their scheme]. And I saw that Ali Marpet just retired. He was a really great player. I’d love the opportunity to step in there.”

At 6-3, 316 pounds, Johnson has the size and athleticism Tampa Bay covets up front. He’s capable of playing in zone and gap schemes, bringing exceptional power and consistency to the position. Johnson is also a former tackle, something Bucs GM Jason Licht covets in his offensive line prospects. Licht has taken collegiate tackles in Cappa and Marpet, only to move them inside in Tampa Bay. Johnson even played some center at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama a month ago.

“I had a lot of work pass blocking in space,” Johnson said about his time at tackle. “That really helped me at guard. Being one-on-one pretty much the whole year really helped me in situations this year. Where, on the inside before, maybe I had to block a 4i (technique) on my own. But I just had experience blocking in space when I was at tackle. That’s something I struggled with playing tackle early in my career. But I had the opportunity to learn and grow at that position. Then I translated some things back to guard.”

Johnson even has the small school roots Licht is so fond of, transferring from Davidson (FCS) to Boston College in 2019. When his collegiate career launched at Davidson, Johnson was a shell of himself – literally. The first round prospect’s commitment to routine, nutrition and heavy lifts in the weight room allowed him to achieve remarkable weight gains.

“So I came into college at 225,” Johnson said. “I played my first season at 250 pounds (at Davidson). That offseason I got up to 285. I was 295 when I got to Boston College. Most recently I was 316-320, somewhere in that range last season. I feel most comfortable 316-320.”

That hasn’t impacted Johnson’s physique one bit. In fact, according to teammate Alec Lindstrom, Johnson is even more of a physical freak than before. Lindstrom also sang Johnson’s praises as an outstanding teammate who works his tail off.

“Zion is a great player,” Lindstrom said. “He’s a physical specimen. You look at him, his arms are like this (spreads hands out) and he’s got a 6-pack. It’s like, ‘Dude, you’re 315 pounds with a 6-pack! How are you doing that?’. But I remember every day we’d have the winter workout (in college). Then Zion and I would go out and do extra takeoffs or pass sets. Just talking football. Doing that extra work to get better and working with each other. Almost every day, just doing the extra work and talking football with Zion.”

On paper and on tape, Johnson is a near perfect match for what the Bucs look for when drafting offensive linemen. He’s high character, works hard, loves football, has ideal size and physicality and is very consistent. He has a background at tackle, and could be position flexible moving forward. Lastly, his football IQ has been praised by several who know him.

But will Johnson last to the Bucs pick at No. 27? That will be one of the enduring questions of the pre-draft process for Tampa Bay.