Ryan Day shares latest update on right guard battle at Ohio State

The Ohio State starting quarterback battle is over, but the Buckeyes’ right guard competition is still alive and well. No decision has been made between third-year linemen Carson Hinzman and Tegra Tshabola, according to head coach Ryan Day.

“We have finally gotten through some of this funky illness that’s gone on,” Day said Thursday, referencing a virus that has limited several O-Linemen, such as starting left guard Donovan Jackson, starting left tackle Josh Simmons, reserve tackle George Fitzpatrick and Hinzman, in training camp.

“So we’re finally getting these guys out there, but we’re just a little bit behind there. I will say that Tegra’s been there the whole time and has really showed improvement. I’ve got to watch the film from today. Today was a physical practice, but I felt him, especially in the last couple drives. I think he’s taken a step forward, for sure.”

Hinzman and Tshabola have been taking turns with the first-team offense during camp, at least when Hinzman’s been available. While Hinzman has significantly more game experience, Tshabola hasn’t missed a practice of camp, and that’s benefiting his development, particularly alongside starting right tackle Josh Fryar.

“Tegra’s stood out as being able to play as a starting-level player and the quality that he’s playing at right now,” Day said. “Now there’s still things he needs to improve, and Seth [McLaughlin] the same way [at center]. So we gotta get Carson out there. We got to get him back with his feet underneath him. I’ll have to look at the film today. But also Saturday will be a big evaluation for those guys.”

Hinzman started all 12 regular season games last season at center. Along the way, though, he had his fair share of issues. He gave up 17 pressures, the third most of any Big Ten center last season, according to Pro Football Focus. No other Ohio State offensive lineman gave up that many pressures in 2023, except it’s important to note Hinzman didn’t concede a sack.

Still, while the other four starting Buckeyes O-Linemen posted PFF run blocking grades of at least 65, Hinzman’s sat at 54.8. Not only was Hinzman a first-year starter, but he was a first-year starting center who had to pilot the O-Line for six road games, more than Ohio State typically plays. And not just any six road games but a slate that included trips to Michigan, Wisconsin and Notre Dame, where he gave up seven pressures, per PFF. Navigating silent counts proved difficult, so did maintaining weight, as Hinzman said he played as light as 280 pounds last season.

Hinzman was benched for the Cotton Bowl, with Day citing Hinzman’s practice struggles leading up tot he New Year’s Six matchup against Missouri as the reason why. Since, Hinzman has rebounded with a strong offseason, particularly in the weight room, where he’s worked with strength and conditioning coach Mick Marotti to reach 298 pounds.

Hinzman is more confident making calls at the line and has impressed competing for both center and, notably, right guard, where he even started during this year’s spring game. What’s more, Hinzman was one of three Buckeyes offensive linemen who earned “Iron Buckeye” status from Marotti this summer.

Tshabola didn’t win a starting job last offseason and instead played just 32 offensive snaps, 19 fewer than the season prior, over five games, per PFF.

He played a season-high 10 offensive snaps against Western Kentucky in Week 3 and had an increased role on special teams, where registered 70 snaps (all on field goal team, according to PFF). Perhaps most notably, he logged five offensive snaps against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl. That game, Tshabola served as the Buckeyes’ extra tackle in their “Bison” package. So it’s especially relevant that Ohio State ran for 41 yards on its five carries with six offensive linemen, according to Sports Information Solutions.

Tshabola is trying to take the next step this offseason with an uptick in consistency and crack the Buckeyes’ starting five. He played right guard during the first-team offense’s second and third drives of this year’s spring game and has continued to progress this summer, in part because of his availability.