Buckeyes offensive lineman, captain exits vs. Tulsa

All signs point to Ohio State missing a preseason All-American offensive lineman for the remainder of Saturday’s game. Offensive guard Thayer Munford exited the Buckeyes game against Tulsa in the first quarter with the help of trainers.

An apparent leg injury, he limped off the field but needed two trainers to help. He then headed to the medical tent before being carted to the locker room.

A leader for the Buckeyes, Munford is a team captain and this year’s representative of the Block O jersey. Matthew Jones entered as Munford’s substition at left guard.

He switched from left tackle, where he started the past three seasons for the Buckeyes, to left guard this offseason as Dawand Jones earned a starting role at right tackle. Ohio State has reshuffled its offensive line, trying to play the top-five offensive lineman instead of the best player at each position. The Buckeyes have also been without expected starting center Harry Miller in the opening three games.

Munford opted not to leave for the NFL this offseason, returning for another season to complete his degree and become the best tackle in the 2022 NFL Draft. He has protected two of the most prolific passers in Buckeyes history in Dwayne Haskins and Justin Fields. Ohio State’s offensive line has allowed just one sack in the first two weeks of the season. They struggled to help create a rushing attack against Oregon, however, finishing with just 128 yards on the ground.

Injuries hindered the 6-foot-6, 321-pound offensive lineman’s fast rise to the next level. But this season was set to be his coming out party, and the preseason All-American honors were just the start.

Ohio State captain ruled out against Tulsa

Ohio State is also without one of its top defenders Saturday afternoon, as defensive end Zach Harrison was ruled out hours before kickoff. In place of Harrison, Javontae Jean-Baptiste will likely get the start opposite Tyreke Smith.

Harrison, a junior, was one of the Buckeyes’ top pass-rushing threats and a captain of the defensive unit. He was widely praised for delivering one of the most impressive offseasons of anybody in the program, growing as a vocal leader and tapping into his immense physical potential, according to On3’s Lettermen Row.

That paid off with a game-changing sack and forced fumble in the season opener, though Harrison and the rest of the pass rush didn’t have much of an impact in the stunning upset loss to Oregon last week.

On3’s Simon Gibbs contributed to this report.