The Cotton Bowl Classic is right around the corner, and Ohio State is heading into its New Year’s Eve clash with Miami facing a familiar question mark: the offensive line. It’s been a shaky spot all season, particularly on the right side, where consistency has been hard to come by. But with the Buckeyes prepping for one of their biggest games of the year, there may finally be some clarity-and possibly even an upgrade-coming at a key position.
Tegra Tshabola, the second-year starter at right tackle, has had a tough go in 2025. Despite flashes of potential, his struggles have been magnified in high-stakes matchups, none more glaring than in the loss to Indiana. That performance underscored a season-long issue: Ohio State’s offensive line hasn’t lived up to its usual standard, especially when the lights are brightest.
Now, Tshabola is listed as doubtful for the Cotton Bowl due to an undisclosed injury. While that might normally spell trouble heading into a marquee bowl game, the Buckeyes aren’t exactly panicking. That’s because they’re turning to Gabe VanSickle-a name fans should get familiar with in a hurry.
VanSickle, a second-year lineman, brings serious size and athleticism to the table. At 6-foot-5 and 316 pounds, he looks the part of a Big Ten tackle, and he’s not just a body-he moves well, plays with balance, and has shown flashes of high-level potential in limited action this season.
He’s seen the field in games against Grambling State, Ohio, Washington, Minnesota, Illinois, and Indiana. Most of those reps came in garbage time, but his appearance against Indiana was different.
That wasn’t mop-up duty-it was a mid-game substitution after Tshabola’s early struggles. And VanSickle didn’t just hold the line-he looked the part.
Evaluating offensive line play isn’t always easy. It’s not as simple as looking at a stat sheet.
You’ve got to watch the footwork, the hand placement, the ability to anchor against a bull rush or adjust to a stunt. And in those areas, VanSickle has quietly impressed.
He’s not just filling in-he might be stepping up.
This isn’t to say the Buckeyes’ offensive line woes are magically solved. But plugging in VanSickle offers more than just a stopgap-it gives Ohio State a chance to stabilize the right side with a player who might be ready for the moment.
And that moment is coming fast.
The matchup with Miami is intriguing across the board, but the battle in the trenches could be the deciding factor. Ohio State has the edge at most positions on the field, but if the offensive line can’t hold its own, that advantage shrinks fast. The Buckeyes have seen it before-when they’ve lost in recent seasons, it’s often been because they lost up front.
That’s why all eyes should be on the offensive line Wednesday night. If VanSickle can deliver, and the rest of the unit rises to the occasion, Ohio State has a real shot to control the line of scrimmage-and the game.
It’s not just about protecting the quarterback or opening up running lanes. It’s about setting the tone, asserting dominance, and giving this offense the platform it needs to thrive.
The Buckeyes don’t need perfection-they need progress. And with VanSickle stepping in, they just might get it.