Buckeyes Land San Diego State Tackle Josh Simmons Via Transfer Portal

The Buckeyes have been looking hard for an offensive tackle in the portal and they finally found one in San Diego State’s Josh Simmons.

Simmons announced his commitment to Ohio State on Sunday.

Simmons (6-6 305) started every game at right tackle last year as a redshirt freshman for the Aztecs, but entered the portal on April 15 looking for a new home. He will have three years of eligibility remaining with the Buckeyes.

Simmons was a four-star prospect out of Helix High School in La Mesa, California. He was the No. 25 interior offensive line prospect in the 2021 recruiting class and held offers from many of the nation’s top programs. That included an offer from UCLA offensive line coach Justin Frye, who is now the Buckeyes’ offensive line coach.

Ohio State went through the spring looking for two new starting offensive tackles. They likely found one in redshirt junior Josh Fryar, who spent the spring at left tackle. The battle at right tackle between redshirt freshman Tegra Tshabola and redshirt sophomore Zen Michalski was not settled. Following spring, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day seemed most concerned about his offensive line.

With Simmons on board, he may join the battle at right tackle. Or perhaps he will take a crack at left tackle, and Fryar can move back to right tackle where he played last year.

Expect fall camp to be a time of experimenting for Justin Frye as he looks to find his best five linemen and where they fit best.

[Josh Simmons photo credit Nelvin C. Cepeda – The San Diego Union-Tribune]