Tale of the Tape: Knowing the basics of Buckeyes offensive line options
COLUMBUS — Ohio State started three new offensive linemen last season. The results: a mixed bag.
Now the Buckeyes could return four starters from last season if they choose to start all four returners in the same spots. But they’re certainly going to tinker with the lineup to make sure they have the best five ready to play come Aug. 31.
Lettermen Row is helping kick off Offensive Line Week by taking a look at the basics of who could become the next starting five offensive linemen at Ohio State. Let’s dive in.
Sure-thing starters
Third-year left guard Donovan Jackson
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 320 pounds
High school: Episcopal (Houston, Texas)
On3 Industry Ranking: Donovan Jackson was ranked as the No. 14 overall player in the country, the No. 1 interior offensive lineman and the No. 5 player in the state of Texas in the class of 2021.
Picked Buckeyes over: Jackson picked Ohio State over a massive list of programs, nearly all of the big-name programs around the country.
Starts at Ohio State: Jackson has 26 career starts, all coming in the last two seasons for the Buckeyes.
Fifth-year tackle Josh Fryar
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 320 pounds
High school: Beech Grove (Beech Grove, Indiana)
On3 Industry Ranking: Josh Fryar was ranked as the No. 483 overall player in the country, the No. 29 offensive tackle and the No. 4 player in the state of Indiana in the class of 2020.
Picked Buckeyes over: Fryar picked Ohio State over Penn State, Florida State, Indiana and others.
Starts at Ohio State: Fryar has 14 career starts, 13 of which came last year for the Buckeyes.
Fourth-year offensive tackle Josh Simmons
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 310 pounds
High school: Helix (La Mesa, California)
On3 Industry Ranking: Josh Simmons was ranked as the No. 366 overall player in the country, the No. 24 interior offensive lineman and the No. 31 player in the state of California in the class of 2021.
Picked Buckeyes over: Simmons transferred to Ohio State from San Diego State. He picked the Aztecs over select Pac 12 schools coming out of high school.
Starts at Ohio State: Simmons has 13 career starts at Ohio State, and he started 13 games for San Diego State two seasons ago.
Probable center starter Seth McLaughlin
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 305 pounds
High school: Buford (Buford, Georgia)
On3 Industry Ranking: McLaughlin was the No. 441 overall player, the No. 24 interior offensive lineman and the No. 46 player in the state of Georgia in the 2020 recruiting class.
Picked Buckeyes over: He picked Ohio State out of the transfer portal after leaving Alabama this winter.
Starts at Ohio State: McLaughlin has started 25 career games for the Crimson Tide and has given up just one sack in his entire career.
Starting right guard candidates
Third-year offensive lineman Carson Hinzman
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 300 pounds
High school: Saint Croix Central (Hammond, Wisconsin)
On3 Industry Ranking: Carson Hinzman was ranked as the No. 167 overall player in the country, the No. 12 interior offensive lineman and the No. 3 player in the state of Wisconsin in the class of 2022.
Picked Buckeyes over: Hinzman committed to the Buckeyes over Wisconsin and other top Big Ten programs.
Starts at Ohio State: Hinzman has 12 career starts for the Buckeyes, all of which came during the regular season last year.
Third-year offensive lineman Tegra Tshabola
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 327 pounds
High school: Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio)
On3 Industry Ranking: Tegra Tshabola was ranked as the No. 114 overall player in the country, the No. 8 interior offensive lineman and the No. 6 player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2022.
Picked Buckeyes over: Tshabola picked Ohio State over Kentucky and others.
Starts at Ohio State: Tshabola has no career starts for the Buckeyes.
Second-year offensive lineman Luke Montgomery
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 308 pounds
High school: Findlay (Findlay, Ohio)
On3 Ranking: Luke Montgomery was the No. 111 overall prospect, the No. 9 interior offensive lineman and the No. 2 player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2023.
On3 Industry Ranking: Montgomery was ranked as the No. 89 overall player in the country, the No. 5 interior offensive lineman and the No. 2 player in the state of Ohio.
Picked Buckeyes over: Montgomery picked Ohio State over Michigan, Notre Dame, Alabama, Georgia and others.
Starts at Ohio State: Montgomery has no career starts for the Buckeyes.
On3 Scouting Report: Athletic multi-positional jumbo athlete who projects as a high upside offensive lineman long-term. Plays all over both lines of scrimmage for his high school team. Shows some of the best movement skills among offensive line prospects in the 2023 cycle. An effortless mover to the second level, showing quick feet and fluidity. Plays offensive line with the athleticism of a Power 5 defensive lineman. Employs considerable core strength and pop in his hands as a block finisher. Plays with impressive effort level and stamina considering his role as a two-way player. Relatively lean with the frame to add considerable weight once in a Power 5 strength program. Could project at multiple spots on the offensive line in college due to his versatile skill set and movement skills.
