Replacing Josh Fryar And Josh Simmons: Buckeyes Have Tackled Depth Issues

This is the eighth in a series looking at how the Buckeyes will be replacing their departed starters in 2025. Up next are the two offensive tackle spots vacated by fifth-year senior Josh Fryar and fourth-year junior Josh Simmons.

Along with replacing offensive line coach Justin Frye, the Buckeyes will also have to replace both starting offensive tackles in Josh Simmons and Josh Fryar. Of course, they managed to replace Simmons at left tackle during the season with left guard Donovan Jackson, but since he is also off to the NFL, that plan won’t be able to stretch into 2025 any longer than it already did.

Both Simmons and Fryar were two-year starters for the Buckeyes. Fryar was a First-Team All-Big Ten selection at right tackle in 2023 and then an Honorable Mention selection this past season. Simmons was on his way to an All-American season before a season-ending knee injury in the loss at Oregon. He is still projected as a first-round pick in this spring’s NFL Draft, however.

The Candidates

There are a number of possibilities to mention when replacing both offensive tackle spots, though some of those names would fit better on the right side than left side. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day went into the portal and brought in veteran Rice left tackle Ethan Onianwa and Minnesota right tackle Phillip Daniels, who started a handful of games as a redshirt freshman in 2024.

Redshirt freshmen Deontae Armstrong and Ian Moore are the only two returning players who mainly practiced at tackle last year. Moore worked his way into the two-deep at right tackle by the end of the season. Last year’s rotating guard trio of Tegra Tshabola, Luke Montgomery, and Austin Siereveld all return, and all three have gotten reps in games or practices at tackle during their respective careers. There are also those in the football facility who think center Carson Hinzman could play anywhere on the offensive line.

The Buckeyes signed a trio of offensive linemen in the 2025 recruiting class. Day has labeled Jayvon McFadden as a tackle, Carter Lowe as a guy who could play both tackle and guard, and Jake Cook as a developmental guy who could end up at either spot as well. All three are already enrolled.

Spring Outlook

Ohio State transfers on the offensive line rarely start spring ball as the No. 1 players at their respective positions, so it will be interesting to see how things shake out over the four weeks of spring practice. Ethan Onianwa is the only experienced left tackle on the roster. As a fifth-year senior surrounded by much-younger tackles, he may not wait long to ascend to the top of the board.

Ian Moore and Deontae Armstrong will get as many reps as they can handle in the spring. Phillip Daniels will get acclimated to the Ohio State way of doing things — as will their eventual offensive line coach. The true freshmen will just try to stay above water.

The real question here is what happens if the offensive staff feels really good about the guard situation and is willing to move one of Luke Montgomery, Tegra Tshabola, or Austin Siereveld to tackle? Or does that depend more on how things are going at tackle than guard? Based on the results of the 2024 season, the rotation at guard worked, so if all three are up for it again, why go away from it now?

Best Bet

When Ohio State goes into the transfer portal for an offensive lineman, they are looking for a starter. Under Ryan Day, the Buckeyes have brought in five offensive line transfers. Four of those five ended up starting. The expectation is that Ethan Onianwa is going to be Ohio State’s starting left tackle this season. He was one of the top tackles in the portal.

Phillip Daniels is going to have more of a battle at right tackle. Ian Moore made a strong impression last season, but starting as a redshirt freshman is rarely an ideal situation for an offensive lineman or their team. If none of the guards move to tackle, then that will be a pretty good sign of how the OSU coaches feel about the situation at tackle.

Go to discussion...