Spring Preview: Buckeyes Much Deeper On Offensive Line Than A Year Ago

Overview

The Buckeyes return four starters from last season’s offensive line, losing just right guard Matt Jones. They have also added Alabama’s two-year starting center Seth McLaughlin as a fifth-year transfer. All-Big Ten left guard Donovan Jackson and All-Big Ten right tackle Josh Fryar are both back, as is fourth-year junior left tackle Josh Simmons.

Starting center Carson Hinzman returns for his third season with the Buckeyes. Eleven other scholarship players will vie for one open starting spot and three open backup spots as Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye will try to find five starters and a “next man up” at tackle, guard, and center.

Scholarship Roster

Donovan Jackson, Sr, 6-4 320
Entering his third year as a starter, expected to be All-Big Ten yet again.
Enokk Vimahi, GrSr, 6-4 313
Started at right guard in the Cotton Bowl.
Josh Fryar, rSr, 6-6 313
All-Big Ten right tackle could get a look at right guard as well.
Seth McLaughlin, rSr, 6-4 305
Didn’t leave a starting job at Alabama to come sit at Ohio State.
Zen Michalski, rJr, 6-7 310
Left spring last year as the No. 1 right tackle, saw OL action in four games.
Josh Simmons, rJr, 6-5 310
Transferred from San Diego State in April, won LT job quickly in August.
George Fitzpatrick, rSoph, 6-6 310
Has played in four games in two years, could win a job as a backup tackle.
Carson Hinzman, rSoph, 6-4 300
Started 12 games at center last year before being benched in the bowl game.
Tegra Tshabola, rSoph, 6-6 322
Has been a valuable backup and now it may be time to win a job.
Luke Montgomery, Soph, 6-4 302
Played in nine games on offense as a true freshman.
Joshua Padilla, rFr, 6-3 293
Expected to be the future of the center position at Ohio State.
Austin Siereveld, rFr, 6-5 317
Did not see action as a true freshman, could contend for two-deep this year.
Miles Walker, rFr, 6-5 295
Has yet to play but has athletic potential to play tackle.
Ian Moore, Fr, 6-5 305
Could play anywhere down the road but will likely get first look at tackle.
Deontae Armstrong, Fr, 6-6 280
Athletic tackle prospect who could be a fast riser.
Devontae Armstrong, Fr, 6-5 297
Powerful guard prospect with good mobility.
Gabe VanSickle, Fr, 6-5 283
Won’t arrive until the summer and will need to find a position.

For Starters

The Ohio State offensive line will enter spring practice with 102 career starts combined, led by left tackle Josh Simmons and left guard Donovan Jackson with 26 each. Transfer center Seth McLaughlin has 22, right tackle Josh Fryar has 14, center Carson Hinzman has 12, and utility guard Enokk Vimahi has two. This will be one of the most experienced offensive lines nationally, but there are still issues to be settled.

New Additions

Seth McLaughlin started all 14 games at center last year at Alabama and eight games the year before. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day brought him in despite the fact that the Buckeyes are returning starting center Carson Hinzman. McLaughlin is the only portal addition, but that may change following spring ball. Three true freshmen will be on hand this spring with Ian Moore, Deontae Armstrong, and Devontae Armstrong. A fourth — Gabe VanSickle — will arrive in June. Moore is the highest-rated of the freshmen, checking in among the top 150-200 players in the 2024 recruiting class.

Spring Depth Chart

Left Tackle

71	Josh Simmons
68	George Fitzpatrick
76	Miles Walker
NA	Deontae Armstrong

Left Guard

74	Donovan Jackson
67	Austin Siereveld

Center

NA	Seth McLaughlin
75	Carson Hinzman
62	Joshua Padilla

Right Guard

77	Tegra Tshabola
66	Enokk Vimahi
NA	Devontae Armstrong

Right Tackle

71	Josh Fryar
51	Luke Montgomery
55	Zen Michalski
NA	Ian Moore

There is plenty of guess work here, especially since players will move from side to side, and some may move from tackle to guard. There are jobs available for the taking in the two-deep.

What’s The Latest?

Ryan Day has said that they will take a bit of a look Josh Fryar at right guard this spring. In that scenario, there needs to be somebody who can step in for him at right tackle. The staff is very high on Josh Simmons at left tackle. This will be his third year as a starter and second year as a starter at Ohio State. Justin Frye will need to see all of that potential realized this season for the Buckeyes. New offensive coordinator Chip Kelly will have his own ideas for this group that will require some adjustments, but should also add to the overall offensive weaponry.

Expectations

This is a group that ended the season in terrible fashion in the bowl game. The Buckeyes moved right guard Matt Jones to center and put Enokk Vimahi at right guard. They were also hampered by the fact that for three quarters of the game they had an inexperienced freshman quarterback on the field and were facing constant blitzing. The Missouri Tiger defense was bringing more defenders than an offensive line could block. Throw last year’s memories out because that offensive line won’t be on the field this season. This should be one of the best offensive lines in the Big Ten.

One Question Needing An Answer

What happens with Carson Hinzman? Hinzman started the first 12 games at center last year as a redshirt freshman and then did not play in the Cotton Bowl. The Buckeyes went out and got another center with starting experience, so what does that mean for Hinzman? There will be a competition between him and Seth McLaughlin at center. McLaughlin is expected to win the job. Will Hinzman then get a look at right guard or will he simply be the next man up at center?

Breakout Candidate

The answer to this one depends on what happens in other areas. If Josh Fryar is able to move to right guard, is that because sophomore Luke Montgomery is ready to break out? If Fryar stays at right tackle, will Montgomery or Tegra Tshabola get a look at right guard? Then the Carson Hinzman question comes up again at right guard. If Montgomery or Tshabola can win a starting job, then they would be a solid answer here. But don’t overlook what Josh Simmons could become now in his fourth year in college. The coaches love his athleticism.

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