2024 Freshman Class Report: Offensive Lineman Gabe VanSickle

This is the 19th installment in a series where Buckeye Huddle looks back on each member of Ohio State’s 2024 signing class and the impact they had in their first season, as well as the impact they could have during the upcoming 2025 season. Up next is offensive lineman Gabe VanSickle.

Ohio State offered Gabe VanSickle in November of his senior year. He was committed to Northwestern at the time but flipped to the Buckeyes a little over two weeks after he was offered. A First-Team All-State selection for Coopersville High School in Coopersville, Michigan, he also played basketball and participated in track.

VanSickle (6-5 315) was ranked the No. 17 interior offensive line prospect in the 247Sports Composite and the No. 283 player overall in the 2024 recruiting class. He signed with the Buckeyes over offers from Michigan State, Stanford, Indiana, Cincinnati, and others.

2024 Season

Offensive linemen rarely play early at Ohio State, especially when they enroll in June of their freshman seasons as Gabe VanSickle did last year. VanSickle was one of four freshmen offensive linemen signed by the Buckeyes last year, but he was the only one who didn’t enroll early.

VanSickle found a spot at guard with the third team, but he did not see any game action last year as a true freshman.

So Now What For Gabe VanSickle

The Buckeyes return their three-guard rotation from last season, as redshirt sophomore Austin Siereveld, junior Luke Montgomery, and redshirt junior Tegra Tshabola are all back. Barring anything unforeseen, those three will be the top of the depth chart at guard. The question then becomes whether or not Gabe VanSickle can become the fourth man.

This spring will be the start of the building of the two-deep for the offensive line. The pieces will be moving constantly, especially with new offensive line coach Tyler Bowen wanting to get a look at everybody. When it’s all settled, however, the Buckeyes will be looking for a backup guard who can come into the games late when the outcome has effectively been decided.

VanSickle and classmate Devontae Armstrong are the only returning guards outside of the top three mentioned above. Ohio State has signed three true freshmen, so those numbers could also add to the competition.