Replacing Donovan Jackson: Buckeyes Tackle Search For Left Guard

This is the 10th in a series looking at how the Buckeyes will be replacing their departed starters in 2025. Up next is the left guard spot vacated by senior Donovan Jackson.

Donovan Jackson was a three-year starter for the Buckeyes and a three-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection at left guard. As a senior, he actually started more games at left tackle (9) than left guard (5). Jackson missed the first two games of the 2024 season, then moved to left tackle following injuries to Josh Simmons and Zen Michalski.

Jackson’s move to left tackle gave the Buckeyes a great look at what they’ll do to replace him at left guard this year. While there may be a bunch of names listed below, the competition will be pretty contained. New offensive line coach Tyler Bowen will have some qualified and experienced options from which to choose.

The Candidates

Donovan Jackson was one of four players who started at left guard last season, and three of them return. Austin Siereveld started the first two games as a redshirt freshman while Jackson returned from injury. Siereveld was then back in the starting lineup for games against Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee, and Oregon. Redshirt sophomore Carson Hinzman took over at left guard when Jackson moved to left tackle, but then had to move to center with the injury to starter Seth McLaughlin prior to the game against Indiana.

Sophomore Luke Montgomery began mixing into the guard rotation with Siereveld and redshirt sophomore right guard Tegra Tshabola in the four playoff games after playing just 21 snaps in the Buckeyes’ previous eight games. Montgomery ended up playing the most snaps among the three guards and started the final two games of the season.

Other possibilities this season include redshirt sophomore Joshua Padilla, who is likely going to be the backup center this season. Redshirt freshmen Gabe VanSickle and Devontae Armstrong did not see the field last year. Incoming freshmen Carter Lowe and Jake Cook could end up at either guard or tackle.

Spring Outlook

Luke Montgomery, Austin Siereveld, and Tegra Tshabola will all be considered returning starters this year. Tshabola started every game at right guard last season, while Montgomery and Siereveld both started games and were called upon at big moments all season long.

Given the fluid nature of the left guard position last season, expect both Montgomery and Siereveld to rotate. Siereveld also played right guard last season, so he could rotate in at that position as well. There is generally plenty of positional movement in practice, so Carson Hinzman or Joshua Padilla playing some left guard wouldn’t be a surprise.

Best Bet

Considering that the Buckeyes were 4-0 in the playoffs last year while running a surprising three-man rotation at offensive guard means that there is a chance they decide to do the same thing again this year. It worked last year and the players were apparently comfortable with it. However, if there is a clear delineation between two of the three, then those two will be your starting guards.

Luke Montgomery came on strong in the playoffs and played very well. Siereveld stepped up in fall camp last year and filled numerous voids. One of these two guys will almost certainly be the starting left guard. And the other may compete to be the starting right guard.

There is also the possibility that any of the three guards could end up in the mix at right tackle as well. Tyler Bowen is looking for his best five, but there could legitimately be six or seven players to choose from this year.

Go to discussion...