Ryan Day on Ohio State: This team will go 'as the offensive line goes'

Ryan Day knows the offense is key for this loaded Ohio State team, more specifically, the offensive line.

With a new quarterback, likely Will Howard, under center, the offensive line has to hold up for an explosive backfield and wide receiving corps to do work. Day was quite pleased with the summer training though.

As he said, the team will go as the offensive line goes.

“Yeah, as you know, the O-line has been the area that we’ve been really, you know, locked in on,” Day said at Big Ten Media Days. “Coming out of the summer, their bodies look different … They’ve had a good summer, but we know how important that is. I mean, you know, this, this team is going to go as the offensive line goes, this team is gonna go as a defensive line goes. So we know how important the offensive line is going to be.” 

Ohio State has guys along the offensive line who should be known in Big Ten circles at this point. But Day also pointed out great competition heading into Fall camp.

“So I think that some guys who have really stepped up (tackle) Josh Fryar to me has had an unbelievable summer,” Day said. “(Donovan Jackson) has been a leader. When it comes to that right guard position, I think you’re gonna see, you know, Carson Hinzman and Seth (McLaughlin), they both can swing between center and guard. 

“Then Tegra Tshabola is … another guy who stepped up and had a good summer. Luke Montgomery (as well). We feel like we have some decent guys in there that can fill that role, but we gotta go put it on the field now and see how this training and everything that’s happened this summer is going to translate to being on the field.”

Jackson, who plays guard on the offensive line, was a sought after recruit coming to Columbus.

As a member of the Class of 2021, Jackson was a five-star recruit out of Bellaire (Texas) Episcopal, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 5 overall prospect in the state, the No. 1 interior offensive lineman in the class and the No. 14 overall prospect in the class.

Jackson is one of the keys on the Ohio State offensive line and if he leads like expected, it could be one of the better units in the country.