Ohio State’s Buckeye 20 countdown rolled on with a familiar name at No. 18, and Phillip Daniels fits the profile of a player who already has real value but still has a lot to clean up.
The Buckeyes’ right tackle enters 2026 after a first season as a starter that showed both why coaches trust him and why there’s still room for growth. Daniels brings size, power and a nasty streak to the edge.
At 6-foot-5 and 312 pounds, he has the frame and athleticism to be a major presence, especially in the run game. He also earned third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2025, which says plenty about the kind of season he put together.
But the pass protection side of the job is where the pressure is on. According to Pro Football Focus, Daniels was flagged six times and gave up 19 quarterback pressures last season. That’s the piece of his game that has to tighten up if he wants to turn strong traits into elite play.
There’s also a little uncertainty attached to his spot heading into the opener. With 18 days left until the season begins, it has not been confirmed that Daniels will hold onto the starting right tackle job, as he’s competing with Ian Moore and Joshua Padilla for two of the final starting roles on the offensive line. Still, after starting 13 games last season, it would be a surprise if he’s not on the field to open the year.
Daniels is one of eight returning Ohio State starters who earned All-Big Ten recognition a season ago, and his ranking reflects both what he already brings and what could still be unlocked. If the passing-game consistency comes along, he has a path to moving up this list. If it doesn’t, he could slide out of the top 20 as the season unfolds.
For now, though, his profile is clear: a rugged run blocker with starter experience, and one of the key pieces Ohio State will lean on as it tries to do more damage on the ground in Arthur Smith’s offense.
“I think they're playing with a lot of confidence right now. They just came off that field feeling really good just about where they're at, the work that they're putting in, they’re communicating at a high level.”- Ryan Day on Ohio State’s offensive line after last Saturday’s scrimmage
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Preseason camp, though, has kept that pecking order from feeling settled. St. Clair is still regarded as a strong prospect, but the battle for the No. 2 job remains alive, with the staff getting a closer look before the season begins. For Ohio State, it is more than a depth-chart footnote. In a quarterback room that is always under a spotlight, the backup spot can say a lot about how the next chapter is taking shape. [Read more 🡒]