Scarlet Sunrise: Ryan Day explains why Buckeyes didn't add transfer O-Lineman in spring window
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Ryan Day explains why Buckeyes didn’t add transfer O-Lineman in spring window
Josh Simmons swiftly earned the most coveted spot on the Ohio State offensive line last summer after transferring in during the spring window. Initially expected to compete for the right tackle starting job, Simmons became the Buckeyes’ go-to left tackle, getting the nod all 13 games to protect the blind side of Ohio State’s quarterbacks in 2023.
Although the Buckeyes probably found themselves a starting offensive lineman in the portal this winter — Alabama’s Seth McLaughlin, who’s the frontrunner to start at center this season — they didn’t add an O-Lineman of any kind after spring ball.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day was asked why when he met with the media Tuesday for a mid-June update.
“Just like in January, if we’re going to bring somebody in, it’s to fill a hole,” Day said. “We’re not just going to bring somebody in to bring somebody in. Like at all positions, we’ll always look to see what’s out there.
“We did evaluate some of the guys that were out there, and we felt like coming out of it as we evaluated it, there was a couple guys that we checked on, but ultimately based on where we were and some of the young guys that are coming up, we felt like we saw some progress on the offensive line in the spring.”
Day added: “There wasn’t as many folks in the portal after the spring. So we looked at it, we identified it, we did our due diligence, but we’re going to go with what we have now.”
If the Buckeyes were to have taken on a new O-Lineman, it would have made the most sense to tack on another interior lineman, as the right guard competition remains unsettled. Right now, there’s a three-way race between Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman and Tegra Tshabola for the starting job.
Ohio State really didn’t do much at all in the portal in the spring window, across the board. The Buckeyes added one scholarship player, safety Keenan Nelson Jr. from South Carolina, and a pair of walk-ons, wide receiver/return man Shawn Lodge from Presbyterian and former Buffalo punter Anthony Venneri.
During the winter, however, the Buckeyes made a big splash in the portal. That’s when they brought in seven players, including six on scholarship. Those six included quarterback Will Howard (Kansas State), quarterback Julian Sayin (Alabama), running back Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss), tight end Will Kacmarek (Ohio University), center Seth McLaughlin (Alabama) and safety Caleb Downs (Alabama).
Three big predictions for Buckeyes offensive line room
Ohio State is in need of a bounce-back year on its offensive line. Will third-year Buckeyes O-Line coach Justin Frye get that result? Lettermen Row beat writer Spencer Holbrook made three big predictions for the unit ahead of the 2024 season.
Then Spencer and fellow staffers Andy Backstrom and Tim May got together to discuss the offensive line group. Each made a prediction for what will happen in the trenches this year.
You can get Spencer’s piece here.
And you can watch the aforementioned discussion below:
In-state athlete Bodpegn Miller commits to Ohio State
It looks like Brian Hartline has found an in-state riser.
Hartline, the Buckeyes’ wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator, received a commitment from 2025 Ontario (Ohio) athlete Bodpegn Miller Thursday.
The 6-foot-4, 180-pound Miller first impressed Hartline at Ohio State recruiting camp on June 13 and then came back and turned heads again with his performance at the Buckeyes’ 7-on-7 camp earlier this week. Miller earned an offer, and it didn’t take long for him to pledge to the scarlet and gray.
At the moment, he isn’t ranked by On3 or in the On3 Industry Ranking. That should change soon.
Last year at Ontario High School, Miller threw for 2,328 yards and 19 touchdowns while rushing for 1,003 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior quarterback. He’s committing to Ohio State as a receiver, though.
For more on Miller, head on over here.
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Counting Down
Buckeyes vs. Akron: 70 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 161 days
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