Testing For The Ohio State Trenches

Ohio State is well into its third spring practice week, with the Spring Game serving as its conclusion to spring practices on April 12th. While news around the Ohio State football program is typically guarded around this time of year (naturally), I have a few questions pertaining to both lines of scrimmage for the Buckeyes.

For all of the hype around the styles of offense or defense that a team will deploy, football will always come down to two basic elements – blocking and tackling. If a team cannot do both well, the likelihood is that team will not be in championship contention.

Fortunately for Ohio State, the talent for both the offensive and defensive lines is in abundance. Even with the departures of several talented players for the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft or via the transfer portal, Ohio State has replenished both lines, and now is as good a time as any to ponder some questions about how the following will be answered ~

1. Who Will Emerge At The Offensive Tackle Positions? Ohio State is losing Josh Simmons, Josh Fryar, and Donovan Jackson to the upcoming NFL Draft. I included Jackson in this category, as he very capably filled in for the injured Simmons at the critical left tackle position during Ohio State’s historic playoff run to the 2024 national championship. While Ohio State signed Ethan Onianwa (Rice) and Phillip Daniels (Minnesota) out of the transfer portal, other players such as Austin Siereveld and Ian Moore have been in the competitive mix at offensive tackle, as well as Deontae Armstrong and incoming freshman Carter Lowe. It is entirely possible that neither the left or right tackle positions will be established by the conclusion of spring practice.
2. How is Ohio State’s Depth Along The Interior Defensive Line? I ask this question as Ohio State is losing starters Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton, plus key rotational player Hero Kanu entered the transfer portal and is now at Texas. Kayden McDonald and Eddrick Houston project as starters along the Ohio State defensive line, while Jason Moore, Will Smith Jr., Eric Mensah, and incoming freshman Jarquez Carter all figure to be involved in the crucial defensive line rotation this upcoming season. On Jason Moore, Ohio State’s defensive line coach Larry Johnson emphasized how important it was for Moore to get these crucial reps during spring practices, stating, “He needs to play football. That’s what we’re gonna try to do this spring. Get him as much football as possible, play and give him a chance to help us up front.”
3. Will Ohio State Be Active In The Transfer Portal For More Linemen After Spring Practices Conclude? The spring transfer portal window opens on April 16th, conveniently after Ohio State concludes its spring practices on April 12th. Two years ago, Ryan Day used that time with then-Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye to find the aforementioned Josh Simmons, and Simmons was able to win the starting left tackle position by the beginning of the 2023 season. While the depth along both lines has improved considerably from a few years ago, it would not be surprising if the Buckeyes decide to add some depth along either the offensive or defensive lines, especially if they believe that they can find someone who is able to come in and contribute.