Austin Siereveld is already drawing attention for the 2027 NFL Draft, and Fox Sports has him going in the first round.
The Ohio State offensive lineman is projected to land with the Baltimore Ravens at No. 29 overall in the latest mock draft, a notable forecast for a player who shifted from starting left tackle in 2025 to offensive guard for the 2026 season. That move gives Ohio State a different look up front this year, and it also adds to Siereveld’s appeal because of the flexibility he brings to the line.
That versatility matters. Guards are valuable, but they usually don’t get the same draft-day love as tackles, so a projection like this stands out. Siereveld enters the season as one of the best guards in college football, and his ability to play multiple spots could push him even higher if a team is looking for more protection.
Ohio State’s line had an uneven showing in Saturday’s 56-3 win over Ball State. The Buckeyes allowed two sacks and had trouble getting the run game moving early, even in a game that was never really in doubt.
The group settled in as the afternoon went on, though, and quarterback Julian Sayin got cleaner pockets to work from. He finished 21 of 25 for 320 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in a sharp outing as he looks to compete for the Heisman Trophy.
The ground game picked up too. Bo Jackson ran for 83 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, while Ja'Kobi Jackson matched that yardage and also scored, finishing with 83 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.
Ohio State still rolled, but the first stretch of the game showed there’s work to do up front. That will matter more when the Buckeyes get into tougher matchups while chasing a second National Championship in three years.
For that to happen, Siereveld will need to keep doing what makes him so valuable: open lanes for the run game and give Sayin time to throw to receivers like Jeremiah Smith. If he turns in a strong 2026 season, he could end up among the first offensive guards taken in the 2027 draft.
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Michigan's QB Uncertainty Just Added Intrigue To The Game
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Underwoods uneven play has only deepened the questions around Michigans offense, and it carries extra weight because of what this game means beyond one Saturday in September. For Ohio State, any uncertainty on the other sideline only adds to the intrigue heading into a meeting where the Buckeyes will be paying attention to whether Michigan can steady itself, or whether the Wolverines are heading toward a bigger change than anyone expected. [Read more 🡒]