Scarlet Sunrise: Recapping everything we learned from 'Offensive Line Week'

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Recapping everything we learned from ‘Offensive Line Week’

While how far Ohio State goes this season will ultimately come down to whoever is playing quarterback, the Buckeyes’ offensive line will have a significant say, too.

The group is in the spotlight again after a rocky 2023. Last year, Ohio State had to replace three starters, all of whom heard their names called in the NFL Draft, and the results the Buckeyes got were mixed at best. They ranked 88th nationally in rushing offense — although they topped 170 rushing yards in four games, they also failed to reach the century mark three times. Plus, they tied for 47th with 1.77 sacks allowed per game, a year removed from giving up the seventh-fewest sacks per game among FBS teams.

In its third year under offensive line coach Justin Frye, the Buckeyes’ “best five” must be more consistent. An extra year of experience will help, as the unit returns four starters from last season. What’s more, Frye added a transfer in former Alabama center Seth McLaughlin, who has 25 career starts under his belt.

THE BASICS

We outlined the measurables of Ohio State’s scholarship offensive linemen, in addition to where each of them went to high school, what recruiting ranking they received, who they picked the Buckeyes over and their biggest strength, among other things.

Then we mapped out the career path of the Ohio State O-Linemen, both the upperclassmen and the underclassmen. There’s eight in each group, with the upperclassmen dominating the conversation for starting jobs. The underclassmen, however, will be counted on to provide valuable depth throughout the 2024 campaign, a season in which the Buckeyes could play as many as 16 or 17 games because of the 12-team College Football Playoff. Teasing, and testing, that depth will be vital for Ohio State, not just for short-term insurance but also for the long-term success of the program, given the extreme roster turnover that the Buckeyes could weather next offseason.

READ: Tale of the Tape: Knowing the basics of Buckeyes offensive line options
READ: How they got here: Mapping out career path of each Buckeyes upperclassman O-Lineman so far
READ: How they got here: Mapping out career path of each Buckeyes underclassman O-Lineman so far

WHO WILL BE THE STARTING RIGHT GUARD?

That’s the biggest question surrounding this year’s group up front. After all, the left side of the O-Line is pretty much set with left tackle Josh Simmons and left guard Donovan Jackson back in the fold. McLaughlin appears to have the lead in the center competition, but Carson Hinzman is a candidate to fill Matthew Jones’ vacancy at right guard, along with fellow third-year lineman Tegra Tshabola and sophomore Luke Montgomery. At first, Montgomery seemed to be the frontrunner. Now, judging by the spring game, it looks like Hinzman and Tshabola are ahead.

That battle will get sorted out in training camp. For now, though, it remains a talking point. The winner of that three-way race will join right tackle Josh Fryar.

READ: Making the case for each of Buckeyes three right guard candidates
READ: Projecting Buckeyes offensive line depth chart
READ: Examining depth of Ohio State’s offensive line, who could be next up in 2025

JOSH FRYAR EXCELLING DURING PIVOTAL OFFSEASON

Speaking of Fryar, he’s, by all accounts, acing this offseason. He’s cut down on body fat and, as a result, is moving quicker on his feet and bending better. Fryar could play guard this season, but he’s trending toward running things back as the Buckeyes’ starting right tackle in 2024.

Fryar got the nod at the position all 13 games last season. He posted the best Pro Football Focus run blocking grade (76.0) on the team and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from the media, plus third-team All-Big Ten accolades from the coaches. But he gave up a team-high five sacks, per PFF, which didn’t have any other Buckeyes O-Lineman down for more than one sack allowed last season. What stands out, though, is that Fryar allowed just 13 pressures, tied for the third fewest of Big Ten offensive linemen with at least 500 offensive snaps last year, per PFF. He’s trying to put everything together in Year 5, and that includes performing better with silent counts on the biggest of stages.

READ: Josh Fryar bringing positional flexibility, leadership to Buckeyes offensive line

Full coverage of ‘Offensive Line Week’ at Lettermen Row

READ: Five questions for Buckeyes improving offensive line unit
READ: Tale of the Tape: Knowing the basics of Buckeyes offensive line options
READ: How they got here: Mapping out career path of each Buckeyes upperclassman O-Lineman so far
READ: How they got here: Mapping out career path of each Buckeyes underclassman O-Lineman so far
READ: Making the case for each of Buckeyes three right guard candidates
READ: Josh Fryar bringing positional flexibility, leadership to Buckeyes offensive line
READ: Roundtable: Will Buckeyes offensive line have bounce-back year in 2024?
READ: Buckeyes offensive line chemistry should come easier with continuity in lineup
READ: Projecting Buckeyes offensive line depth chart
READ: Examining depth of Ohio State’s offensive line, who could be next up in 2025
READ: Three big predictions for Buckeyes offensive line room
READ: Ryan Day explains why Buckeyes didn’t add transfer O-Lineman in spring window
READ: Best-case, worst-case scenarios for Buckeyes offensive line
READ: Lettermen Row member mailbag: Offensive Line Week questions answered

Counting Down

Buckeyes vs. Akron: 68 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 159 days

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