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Posted
9 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

How many days until August 30, excatly?

Jesus Christ this is maddening.

You don’t have access to a calendar? Weird. I’m not telling you 

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Posted
26 minutes ago, Newy25 said:

I’m interested to see how Mosley wins the starting job without being here this spring and now missing a portion of call camp. He may be better but at some point he is going to have to practice or I expect ctj’s favorite player might start at Ohio St. 

At this point, I expect Jaggy as the starter. What has Mosley proven at Texas so far? Not enough. 

Posted (edited)

Maybe he fell victim to unfair expectations, but I kind of thought Baxter was a bit underwhelming when healthy. The '23 team definitely looked a lot better to me when JBrooks was on the field. I'm not certain 80% makes Baxter a huge contributor. I also understand that it's possible for players to improve from their first year on campus. I hope that's the case here.

Seems like an absolute stud as a kid and love his interviews, but I just hope to see a player on the field who has some burst when there's a hole to run through this time around.

Edited by TommyGufano
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Posted

Well we do have some evidence.  It is filtered.  He is playing, we are told he has no medical restrictions.  There are reasons to believe he is fully healthy. If I’m sark, I’m still cautious with him at first but football players play football. 
 

frank was, in my comprehension, being fairly declarative that it will probably take until next season for him to be all the way back, whatever that means. 
 

i don’t see a reason to have that opinion for this player at this time. 

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Posted
27 minutes ago, Newy25 said:

I’m interested to see how Mosley wins the starting job without being here this spring and now missing a portion of call camp. He may be better but at some point he is going to have to practice or I expect ctj’s favorite player might start at Ohio St. 

I think stylistically Mosley competes more with Moore (inside/outside chain mover) than Livingston (speed/size deep threat) 

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Posted
3 hours ago, closetojumping said:

Texas finished 69th in the country in rushing yards per game a year ago.

 

That's a nice run game 

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Posted
3 minutes ago, TommyGufano said:

Maybe he fell victim to unfair expectations, but I kind of thought Baxter was a bit underwhelming when healthy. The '23 team definitely looked a lot better to me when JBrooks was on the field. I'm not certain 80% makes Baxter a huge contributor. I also understand that it's possible for players to improve from their first year on campus. I hope that's the case here.

Seems like an absolute stud as a kid and love his interviews, but I just hope to see a player on the field who has some burst when there's a hole to run through this time around.

He was a true freshman 

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Posted
5 minutes ago, closetojumping said:

At this point, I expect Jaggy as the starter. What has Mosley proven at Texas so far? Not enough. 

 

image.gif.b3d956f2fdc1640a3af0916572be2c51.gif

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Posted
2 minutes ago, TommyGufano said:

Maybe he fell victim to unfair expectations, but I kind of thought Baxter was a bit underwhelming when healthy. The '23 team definitely looked a lot better to me when JBrooks was on the field. I'm not certain 80% makes Baxter a huge contributor. I also understand that it's possible for players to improve from their first year on campus. I hope that's the case here.

Seems like an absolute stud as a kid and love his interviews, but I just hope to see a player on the field who has some burst when there's a hole to run through this time around.

I don’t disagree with this take, but it comes with a caveat. Baxter had moments where he showed 5 star potential, but he was constantly dinged up. I am not sure we saw much of a healthy Baxter. I think he limped off the field in his first 2 games. 

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Posted

I'm hoping this team is set up to not need a "difference making RB", and that being merely solid and getting the yards that are blocked plus a few more here and there is enough 

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Posted
3 minutes ago, TommyGufano said:

Maybe he fell victim to unfair expectations, but I kind of thought Baxter was a bit underwhelming when healthy. The '23 team definitely looked a lot better to me when JBrooks was on the field. I'm not certain 80% makes Baxter a huge contributor. I also understand that it's possible for players to improve from their first year on campus. I hope that's the case here.

Seems like an absolute stud as a kid and love his interviews, but I just hope to see a player on the field who has some burst when there's a hole to run through this time around.

Jonathan Brooks was the best player on every field he played on that season. He was robbed by such a freak injury. 

I think Baxter is just a much different back and coming from a supreme vision and contact balance back like JB to Baxter who is more of the size back workhorse. He's smart and durable when his knee isn't ripped off and as said before he blocks like crazy. 

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Posted

I can't wait to see if the negative nellies thay sit in front of me at DKR, who constantly bitched about every single incomplete pass Quinn threw the last two years, are as hard on Arch.

I anticipate they will be huge Owens/Caldwell fans this year.

Posted
12 minutes ago, Huckleberry said:

You take the time to spell this the French way but can't be bothered to click Paste as Plain Text. You are a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma, facially covered by a backwards balaclava.

Autocorrect on iphone. Some of us have it working in our favor, some of us are @SydneyCarton .

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Posted
1 hour ago, Sawbonz said:

That was before arthroscopic assisted reconstruction and early ROM was standard. Some surgeons were still using casts for 6 weeks after open 2 incision reconstruction. Mical Padgett and Mike Gaddis both had likely NFL careers ruined thanks to shitty cotton bowl turf and when they were born
 

Re Baxter according to ChatGPT he had ACL and LCL. No mention of posterolateral corner injury so the LCL wouldn’t necessarily delay RTP (9-12 months) in my opinion but I haven’t treated knees since residency 

maybe @Magus Ossis can opine

I don’t know the deets but I was aware of the significant advancements in these reconstructive techniques, still traumatized tho. 

Posted (edited)
15 hours ago, sidis said:

my longcat thoughts on texas 2025 going in...

i'm feeling optimistic for a really good team to develop over the season. that said, these number one rankings are more a combination of no one knowing wtf to expect from everyone this season because there are so few good qbs known at present...and arch. 12 draft picks cannot be overlooked.

 

the satyanash side of me looks at the following:

pointing out four starting offensive line and the tight end is not sufficient... it's a consensus all american left tackle and 6th year center...plus a millionth year tight end with incredible athleticism and instinct for steve's offense and soft spots in zone. five our of six guys across the front line makes me queasy. losing cam williams mainly means we pick up 100 yards a game in avoided false starts but the rest of them are total fucking unknown situations...and we have already lost one of them that had some meaningful playing time. lots of optimism for cruz, baker, goosby, campbell, robertson, neto, kibble, etc..., but gotta see it first. goosby is the only one of those that has really played some grown ass man football and did it well.

this will also be the first time since 2022 that we do not have at least two monster 4-6 years in the program seniors playing defensive tackle in the rotation. the thing that most people under appreciate about the last two years of texas football success is that no one...and i mean NO ONE could run between the tackles on us. murphy and sweat in 23, collins and broughton in 24. we had really nice rotation guys in there as well like norton as well but those four guys were fucking incredible and played like the 24 year old men they were dominating. it's why i wanted michigan so bad in 23...because i knew we could stop them. this is the first time we won't have that in a while. we are relying on older and less talented transfers combined with incredibly talented young guys. but dt is just a position that an 18/19 year old cannot dominate like murphy, sweat, collins, and broughton did. justus is likely to be great one day and i expect him to flash, but i'm worried about the between the tackles run defense for the first time since 2022. while i have zero concerns about de, part of what created opportunities for simmons and moore last year was the middle of the line having to commit to those dts. this is my biggest concern.

the other big thing is the loss of our thorpe award winning shut down guys in barron who had an absolutely incredible season last year. the way muhammad was getting abused by the playoffs last year and black's limited experience is worrisome. makuba's picks and enforcement of the middle is going to be missed as well...though i'm not as worried about safety as i am cb because i really believe in mcdonald.

still pissed at our on-the-field coaching from the end of both halves of the ohio state game. some of the stupidest shit ever seen. steve's ability to do the most brilliant stuff is only matched by his boneheaded wtf moments.

 

the surly football board koolaid cult member in me looks at the following:

with moore's return, if he and simmons are healthy, i'm not trading de with anyone. two studs plus solid depth. i think if hill, lefau, spence, tyanthony, all stay healthy, this is the best lb group we have had a long ass time. i really like safety...especially if derek williams is actually able to return at full capability. add gilbeau, johnson-rubell, and two potential superstars in jonah and filsaime to a budding star in mcdonald...i think safety is going to be a strong point. i love our defense going in...but cb and dt give me satyanash/greenspoint level concern.

i loved golden a whole hell of a lot but not that concerned about losing golden and bond. i think wr is going to be a strong point. young guys can make impact there and i think the incoming class is a great addition to wingo, moore, etc...  

i have optimism at qb. not trying to start a quinn ewers argument thread but i am hopeful that we are going to see better all-around qb play this year...but i was not the biggest fan of qe outside of a few games like michigan last year. i don't envy the bullshit that arch is going to have to put up with this year but i do believe he is going to be really good. but his success is obviously contingent on my one of my bigger concerns in oline and the complete unknown in the running game. if those two play at a high level, arch is going to go fucking crazy.

 

the very un-surly "i don't know wtf to expect" admitting vulnerability side of me looks at the following:

rb is an unknown outside of wisner obviously. just have to see what it looks like. love wisner...hoping we can help him out. losing blue in the passing game will be meaningful and we have to hope that steve can scheme some of these fish like terry to fill some of that void effectively.

no idea what jordan washington is going to do...but i have a hard time seeing him being as effective as the last two years of te play from gunnar and j'tavion. we have been fucking spoiled as hell the last two years...nothing like that since the run of scaife-david thomas-jermichael.

bert really shit the bed last year after an incredible October and november in 2023. praying we are materially better there this year but haven't seen it yet.

 

don't think i'm exactly blazing new territory with any of this but just putting things down to prepare myself. the schedule has us going on the road to ohio state, georgia, and florida. worst home schedule i can remember in a while. not a single game at home in october is fucking irritating. we need to give ou a thorough ass beating in dallas. we haven't beaten them wearing orange jerseys since 20-fucking-15 when foreman shit in baker's mouth. tired of that shit. again, 12 draft picks cannot be overlooked but we have now stacked four straight stud classes and probably the thing that steve has excelled at the most since being here is leveraging the portal for 2-4 key guys a year.

anyway, hook'em. can't wait to see what the answers to all the questions above yield.

Your TE section fails to even mention Endries. Seems like a big gap in your analysis

As for your DT section, you emphasize age a lot, but you fail to mention Baker as DT coach. Returns are early but Collins and Broughton borth did jack shit until Baker got here and developed them. There’s a non zero chance Baker is really good, and can get more out of our older transfers than you might expect, plus young player development better than expected. Broughton sucked until his literal last year, and collins was inconsistent, so it’s not like they weren’t old and strong enough their junior years. It was teaching. 

35 minutes ago, TommyGufano said:

Maybe he fell victim to unfair expectations, but I kind of thought Baxter was a bit underwhelming when healthy. The '23 team definitely looked a lot better to me when JBrooks was on the field. I'm not certain 80% makes Baxter a huge contributor. I also understand that it's possible for players to improve from their first year on campus. I hope that's the case here.

Seems like an absolute stud as a kid and love his interviews, but I just hope to see a player on the field who has some burst when there's a hole to run through this time around.

Baxter was a true Freshman, and he struggled early in the season. We all saw it. But he noticeably improved as the year went on, which is all you really want to see from a true freshman. You might be selling him short here. By the end of the season he was looking every bit the five star. 

Edited by SydneyCarton
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Posted
1 hour ago, immamac said:

You said you don't think he's healthy enough to be a difference maker this year, I asked why and you made something up.

He's RB1, practicing as RB1, the coaches think of him as RB1 and if he plays as RB1 he will most certainly make a difference this year. 

Just because you went off on some tangent about him being the best player he could possibly be or back to 100% doesn't mean I said shit about disagreeing with him being back to 100% or not. 

Here I'll make something up too. I think an 80% Baxter is enough to have over 1k yards and average more than 4 per carry and carry the RB1 load. 

Stop attributing other posts or what other posters are saying to me. 

 

No. I didn’t say “I don’t think he’s healthy enough to be a difference maker”.  I said I was skeptical he would be given the nature of his injury given other running backs’ recoveries from multiple ligament tears.  I won’t know until we see him play. I’m just expressing caution.  I don’t know.  Neither do you.  I’d be very happy if he produces per play and total stats he had his freshman year.  But for the injury I’d be expecting a lot more.  He was being talked up and compared to Edgerrin James before he blew out multiple ligaments.  

Posted
31 minutes ago, kevwun said:

Well I'm shocked that a first round draft pick junior rb was more productive than a true freshman.

Baxter had very high expectations in year two.  They were expecting a big jump in his per play and total stats.  Gerry always said Baxter needed a year in the s&c program to really be the player he could be.  He was being raved about prior to his injury.  
 

Again, I hope he bucks the odds and is 100 percent in year one after the injury.  I’m assuming given his character he’s absolutely worked his ass off.  

Posted
2 minutes ago, Frank Drebin said:

No. I didn’t say “I don’t think he’s healthy enough to be a difference maker”.  I said I was skeptical he would be given the nature of his injury given other running backs’ recoveries from multiple ligament tears.  I won’t know until we see him play. I’m just expressing caution.  I don’t know.  Neither do you.  I’d be very happy if he produces per play and total stats he had his freshman year.  But for the injury I’d be expecting a lot more.  He was being talked up and compared to Edgerrin James before he blew out multiple ligaments.  

You just described making things up. This isn't hard or some gotcha. 

Posted
10 minutes ago, SydneyCarton said:

Your TE section fails to even mention Endries. Seems like a big gap in your analysis

As for your DT section, you emphasize age a lot, but you fail to mention Baker as DT coach. Returns are early but Collins and Broughton borth did jack shit until Baker got here and developed them. There’s a non zero chance Baker is really good, and can get more out of our older transfers than you might expect, plus young player development better than expected. Broughton sucked until his literal last year, and collins was inconsistent, so it’s not like they weren’t old and strong enough their junior years. It was teaching. 

Baxter was a true Freshman, and he struggled early in the season. We all saw it. But he noticeably improved as the year went on, which is all you really want to see from a true freshman. You might be selling him short here. By the end of the season he was looking every bit the five star. 

Yep.  See Iowa State.  

Posted

 

A few days ago, I had posted an article about how unsettled Ohio State was at a few key positions - the lines in particular - and CTJ has commented multiple times on that subject, as well. 

This is very interesting stuff.  Posted today, and written from the perspective of going up against Texas in a couple of weeks.

 

"With an eye on the Longhorns, the Scarlet and Gray have decided to reassess their offensive line combination. That doesn't mean Ohio State wouldn't have done this in other years, but facing the No. 1 team in the country—whom the Buckeyes just defeated in the College Football Playoff semifinal—and with the reigning Freshman of the Year at defensive end, will make any team question everything."

 

COMPLETE ARTICLE

 

image.thumb.png.cbf13a576ecfa2d7ac6a5ff7033d7da5.png

 

 

Spoiler

 

Searching for starters: Ohio State looking for best group on offensive line

Patrick Murphy (Buckeye 247)
 

When Ohio State's spring practice wrapped up, it seemed like the offensive line was mostly settled. Months after having to reshuffle the line twice due to season-ending injuries to the starting left tackle and center – and still winning the national championship – the Buckeyes now have an experienced group for 2025.

The beginning of fall camp only seemed to confirm this belief. During the first three practices that were open to the public and the media, the first-string offensive line stayed the same. While most of the team drills were split between two fields, there was enough of a sample size with the first team to get a good idea of where the Scarlet and Gray were headed.

Left tackle: Ethan Onianwa, left guard: Luke Montgomery, center: Carson Hinzman, right guard: Tegra Tshabola, right tackle: Austin Siereveld.

However, there has been a change.

Head coach Ryan Day revealed last week that Siereveld was repping at left tackle, while Onianwa has spent time at right tackle and guard. Day initially downplayed this change as Ohio State's usual approach of having a primary and secondary position for each offensive lineman but said this week that Siereveld was "exclusively" working at left tackle.

With two weeks remaining before the third-ranked Buckeyes begin the 2025 season against No. 1 Texas, who are expected to have a talented – but somewhat unproven – defensive line, the Scarlet and Gray are reconsidering their offensive line combination.

While reading that might raise alarms for Buckeye fans, the concern isn't shared – or at least not to the same extent – within the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. As offensive line coach Tyler Bowen said this week, Ohio State is looking for its starting five.

Although Bowen acknowledged that there needs to be some urgency in finding that starting five, the Buckeyes still have time. Saturday marks two weeks from the opening game against the Longhorns. While the Scarlet and Gray recognize the need to build chemistry on the offensive line, last season proved that group can be assembled quickly after injuries forced Ohio State to change its starters multiple times before big games.

So, where does that leave the Buckeye offensive line?

Despite the changes during fall camp, confidence in the offensive line at the WHAC remains strong, according to sources who spoke with Bucknuts. The position changes aim to ensure the best offensive linemen are on the field with a focus on Texas.

With an eye on the Longhorns, the Scarlet and Gray have decided to reassess their offensive line combination. That doesn't mean Ohio State wouldn't have done this in other years, but facing the No. 1 team in the country—whom the Buckeyes just defeated in the College Football Playoff semifinal—and with the reigning Freshman of the Year at defensive end, will make any team question everything.

Speaking of the Freshman of the Year, Colin Simmons will challenge anyone who lines up against him. Although he only recorded four tackles, three pressures and no sacks against the Scarlet and Gray in the postseason, he was facing veteran tackles, even if All-American Donovan Jackson had only been playing the position for a few months. That might not be the case this season.

While Onianwa started 34 games at Rice, asking him to play Texas in what might be the biggest regular-season game in his debut for Ohio State is a lot. Although Onianwa has been praised both publicly and privately for his efforts to reshape his body since arriving in Columbus in December and has shown progress during the offseason, he has also struggled with handling speed rushes in practice. This is a concern if he is expected to face off one-on-one against Simmons, who usually lines up as the weakside defensive end.

This, at least in part, was a reason for seeing how Siereveld would handle playing left tackle.

Siereveld's versatility has been a significant asset since last season, when he could switch between left and right guard during a game. His performance at right tackle convinced the Buckeye staff that he's capable of playing the position, and with some uncertainties about Onianwa heading into an important open game, experimenting proved to be worthwhile.

The development of Phillip Daniels should not be ignored either.

When Daniels transferred from Minnesota, some in that program questioned how quickly he would play for the Scarlet and Gray, since he had only started the last four games for the Gophers last season due to injuries. Still, Daniels pushed himself this offseason and came into fall camp as an improved player.

One source described Daniels as "having a mean streak" and "very serious about his craft." A Cincinnati native who was not offered a scholarship by Ohio State, Daniels, it appears, has the kind of passion for the Buckeyes that can't be taught. He wants the Scarlet and Gray to win and is working to make sure that happens.

Because of his work, Daniels has become a more significant contender in the right tackle competition during fall camp. This development made the Scarlet and Gray staff more confident in moving Siereveld to the left side of the offensive line.

If Ohio State starts the season with Siereveld at left tackle and Daniels at right tackle, which seems to be the current trend, Onianwa could still play a role. He would be the first tackle to come off the bench and, as Bucknuts understands it, he is in contention to start at right guard.

While brought in to play tackle, Onianwa has taken reps at guard. Although Tshabola was a starter for the Buckeyes throughout 2024, he was the team's lowest-graded blocker, according to Pro Football Focus. Bucknuts understands that Tshabola's consistency and mental focus continue to be concerns inside the WHAC. On plays where he's focused, Tshabola looks like the top-40 overall prospect he was coming out of high school. But that player doesn't show up on every snap in practices or games.

Just because a player played or started last year doesn't matter to Bowen, who came from Virginia Tech with little or no preconceived notions of his new linemen. He will select the five that can protect the quarterback and create openings for the running backs.

Montgomery has been praised for his steady improvement. After playing 77 snaps in the regular season last year before his Playoff performances, Montgomery has stepped up and shown he deserves to start. "Steady" was the word used to describe Montgomery.

Since losing his starting spot at center after the 2023 season, Hinzman has been a relentless worker. He learned from last season's Rimington Trophy winner Seth McLaughlin what it takes to be one of the best linemen in college football. Even after serving as the center for the national championship run and as he prepares for a season where he is the starter, Hinzman regularly puts in extra work at the WHAC after practice to ensure he is the best center possible for Ohio State.

Another name that came up in conversation with those who have a close eye on the Buckeyes' offensive line is Gabe VanSickle. The third-year lineman has stepped up on the interior, adding more depth with Josh Padilla, who can play center but might also be able to move to guard if needed.

Saturday's scrimmage will be crucial for the offensive line. While the Buckeyes aren't yet overly concerned about having a fixed starting five, they do want to establish that group in the next week or so to work in team periods and build the chemistry needed to perform well this season, beginning Week 1.

 

 

 

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Posted
Just now, immamac said:

You just described making things up. This isn't hard or some gotcha. 

Expressing skepticism about a RB being 100 percent based on other running backs who had the same injury or even less severe knee injuries and their recovery is making stuff up.  You’re not this dumb. Come on.  

Do you not remember everyone being shocked about Peterson’s season when he blew out a couple ligaments?

Posted

If OSU's OL isn't as good as they're hoping they'd be, at least in week one, it makes Klare not being much of a blocker a bigger deal, especially when you consider Sayin not being much of a running threat. If they want to run consistently they might have to play a second TE who's more of a blocker

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Posted

I know they have two new coordinators, but wasn't the Ohio St coaching staff on track to seriously underperform with by far the most talented team last year, until after the Michigan loss they made major changes on both sides of the ball?  Just curious if that was an aberration or if we could see it again this year.

Posted

Curious to watch how Sark allocates carries early in the season.

If Texas has 30 running plays vs Suckeyes,  maybe the breakdown is:

  • Wisner       14
  • Baxter         8
  • Clark           4
  • Gibson        2
  • Manning      2
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Posted
56 minutes ago, closetojumping said:

At this point, I expect Jaggy as the starter. What has Mosley proven at Texas so far? Not enough. 

I feel like this is an epic concession that deserves more attention than it seems to have initially gotten.  LOL. 

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Posted
59 minutes ago, TommyGufano said:

Maybe he fell victim to unfair expectations, but I kind of thought Baxter was a bit underwhelming when healthy. The '23 team definitely looked a lot better to me when JBrooks was on the field. I'm not certain 80% makes Baxter a huge contributor. I also understand that it's possible for players to improve from their first year on campus. I hope that's the case here.

Seems like an absolute stud as a kid and love his interviews, but I just hope to see a player on the field who has some burst when there's a hole to run through this time around.

Agreed. I wasn't impressed before the injury. I will be surprised if he is somehow better after the injury. I guess we will see soon enough. 

Posted
9 minutes ago, Js1 said:

Could you imagine if Bobby or someone posted that about us? Half this thread would have already gone outside and stepped in front of traffic 

A fair trade.

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Posted
1 minute ago, Yesh said:

I know they have two new coordinators, but wasn't the Ohio St coaching staff on track to seriously underperform with by far the most talented team last year, until after the Michigan loss they made major changes on both sides of the ball?  Just curious if that was an aberration or if we could see it again this year.

I don't know about any revamp on the defensive side of the ball, but they did dramatically revamp their running game following the Michigan game and that did pay dividends for them against Tennessee and others.  

Posted
Just now, deech said:

I don't know about any revamp on the defensive side of the ball, but they did dramatically revamp their running game following the Michigan game and that did pay dividends for them against Tennessee and others.  

They are welcome to do that again. Starting August 31 after a home loss to Texas 

Posted
6 minutes ago, Yesh said:

I know they have two new coordinators, but wasn't the Ohio St coaching staff on track to seriously underperform with by far the most talented team last year, until after the Michigan loss they made major changes on both sides of the ball?  Just curious if that was an aberration or if we could see it again this year.

They lost to Oregon by 1 point on the road in a barnburner and had blowout wins over Iowa and Indiana. They also dominated at Penn State the game wasnt as close as the score

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Posted
17 hours ago, Professor Chesney said:

This is going to be the new “did you know Ryan Williams is just 17 years old??” line recycled twice every game, and we’ll want to murder the play-by-play announcer by Week 5

Yeah, I’m old enough to remember hearing, “Tom Landry is the only head coach the Cowboys have ever had” repeatedly. But I was young enough then that it didn’t bother me. Roger to Drew always comes through!

Posted
17 minutes ago, Getafix said:

 

A few days ago, I had posted an article about how unsettled Ohio State was at a few key positions - the lines in particular - and CTJ has commented multiple times on that subject, as well. 

This is very interesting stuff.  Posted today, and written from the perspective of going up against Texas in a couple of weeks.

 

"With an eye on the Longhorns, the Scarlet and Gray have decided to reassess their offensive line combination. That doesn't mean Ohio State wouldn't have done this in other years, but facing the No. 1 team in the country—whom the Buckeyes just defeated in the College Football Playoff semifinal—and with the reigning Freshman of the Year at defensive end, will make any team question everything."

 

COMPLETE ARTICLE

 

image.thumb.png.cbf13a576ecfa2d7ac6a5ff7033d7da5.png

 

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

Searching for starters: Ohio State looking for best group on offensive line

Patrick Murphy (Buckeye 247)
 

When Ohio State's spring practice wrapped up, it seemed like the offensive line was mostly settled. Months after having to reshuffle the line twice due to season-ending injuries to the starting left tackle and center – and still winning the national championship – the Buckeyes now have an experienced group for 2025.

The beginning of fall camp only seemed to confirm this belief. During the first three practices that were open to the public and the media, the first-string offensive line stayed the same. While most of the team drills were split between two fields, there was enough of a sample size with the first team to get a good idea of where the Scarlet and Gray were headed.

Left tackle: Ethan Onianwa, left guard: Luke Montgomery, center: Carson Hinzman, right guard: Tegra Tshabola, right tackle: Austin Siereveld.

However, there has been a change.

Head coach Ryan Day revealed last week that Siereveld was repping at left tackle, while Onianwa has spent time at right tackle and guard. Day initially downplayed this change as Ohio State's usual approach of having a primary and secondary position for each offensive lineman but said this week that Siereveld was "exclusively" working at left tackle.

With two weeks remaining before the third-ranked Buckeyes begin the 2025 season against No. 1 Texas, who are expected to have a talented – but somewhat unproven – defensive line, the Scarlet and Gray are reconsidering their offensive line combination.

While reading that might raise alarms for Buckeye fans, the concern isn't shared – or at least not to the same extent – within the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. As offensive line coach Tyler Bowen said this week, Ohio State is looking for its starting five.

Although Bowen acknowledged that there needs to be some urgency in finding that starting five, the Buckeyes still have time. Saturday marks two weeks from the opening game against the Longhorns. While the Scarlet and Gray recognize the need to build chemistry on the offensive line, last season proved that group can be assembled quickly after injuries forced Ohio State to change its starters multiple times before big games.

So, where does that leave the Buckeye offensive line?

Despite the changes during fall camp, confidence in the offensive line at the WHAC remains strong, according to sources who spoke with Bucknuts. The position changes aim to ensure the best offensive linemen are on the field with a focus on Texas.

With an eye on the Longhorns, the Scarlet and Gray have decided to reassess their offensive line combination. That doesn't mean Ohio State wouldn't have done this in other years, but facing the No. 1 team in the country—whom the Buckeyes just defeated in the College Football Playoff semifinal—and with the reigning Freshman of the Year at defensive end, will make any team question everything.

Speaking of the Freshman of the Year, Colin Simmons will challenge anyone who lines up against him. Although he only recorded four tackles, three pressures and no sacks against the Scarlet and Gray in the postseason, he was facing veteran tackles, even if All-American Donovan Jackson had only been playing the position for a few months. That might not be the case this season.

While Onianwa started 34 games at Rice, asking him to play Texas in what might be the biggest regular-season game in his debut for Ohio State is a lot. Although Onianwa has been praised both publicly and privately for his efforts to reshape his body since arriving in Columbus in December and has shown progress during the offseason, he has also struggled with handling speed rushes in practice. This is a concern if he is expected to face off one-on-one against Simmons, who usually lines up as the weakside defensive end.

This, at least in part, was a reason for seeing how Siereveld would handle playing left tackle.

Siereveld's versatility has been a significant asset since last season, when he could switch between left and right guard during a game. His performance at right tackle convinced the Buckeye staff that he's capable of playing the position, and with some uncertainties about Onianwa heading into an important open game, experimenting proved to be worthwhile.

The development of Phillip Daniels should not be ignored either.

When Daniels transferred from Minnesota, some in that program questioned how quickly he would play for the Scarlet and Gray, since he had only started the last four games for the Gophers last season due to injuries. Still, Daniels pushed himself this offseason and came into fall camp as an improved player.

One source described Daniels as "having a mean streak" and "very serious about his craft." A Cincinnati native who was not offered a scholarship by Ohio State, Daniels, it appears, has the kind of passion for the Buckeyes that can't be taught. He wants the Scarlet and Gray to win and is working to make sure that happens.

Because of his work, Daniels has become a more significant contender in the right tackle competition during fall camp. This development made the Scarlet and Gray staff more confident in moving Siereveld to the left side of the offensive line.

If Ohio State starts the season with Siereveld at left tackle and Daniels at right tackle, which seems to be the current trend, Onianwa could still play a role. He would be the first tackle to come off the bench and, as Bucknuts understands it, he is in contention to start at right guard.

While brought in to play tackle, Onianwa has taken reps at guard. Although Tshabola was a starter for the Buckeyes throughout 2024, he was the team's lowest-graded blocker, according to Pro Football Focus. Bucknuts understands that Tshabola's consistency and mental focus continue to be concerns inside the WHAC. On plays where he's focused, Tshabola looks like the top-40 overall prospect he was coming out of high school. But that player doesn't show up on every snap in practices or games.

Just because a player played or started last year doesn't matter to Bowen, who came from Virginia Tech with little or no preconceived notions of his new linemen. He will select the five that can protect the quarterback and create openings for the running backs.

Montgomery has been praised for his steady improvement. After playing 77 snaps in the regular season last year before his Playoff performances, Montgomery has stepped up and shown he deserves to start. "Steady" was the word used to describe Montgomery.

Since losing his starting spot at center after the 2023 season, Hinzman has been a relentless worker. He learned from last season's Rimington Trophy winner Seth McLaughlin what it takes to be one of the best linemen in college football. Even after serving as the center for the national championship run and as he prepares for a season where he is the starter, Hinzman regularly puts in extra work at the WHAC after practice to ensure he is the best center possible for Ohio State.

Another name that came up in conversation with those who have a close eye on the Buckeyes' offensive line is Gabe VanSickle. The third-year lineman has stepped up on the interior, adding more depth with Josh Padilla, who can play center but might also be able to move to guard if needed.

Saturday's scrimmage will be crucial for the offensive line. While the Buckeyes aren't yet overly concerned about having a fixed starting five, they do want to establish that group in the next week or so to work in team periods and build the chemistry needed to perform well this season, beginning Week 1.

 

 

 

Despite all five top OL being upperclassmen, only one OSU OL made Brugler's draft eligible rankings for interior OL and OTs, and that was Onianwa who's apparently already getting demoted to RG/RT

 

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