Ohio State heads into Big Ten play with one of the biggest questions on its offensive line still hanging over Saturday’s matchup with Illinois: will Phillip Daniels be back?
The Buckeyes are coming off a 24-23 loss to Texas after opening the season with two comfortable wins, and they now turn their attention to Columbus for the conference opener. But Ryan Day’s first real personnel call of this stretch may come at right tackle, where Daniels’ availability remains uncertain.
Daniels sat out Saturday’s win over Kent State because of an injury, and Day said the new Big Ten availability report will factor into the picture. The coach also confirmed Daniels is expected to practice in some capacity this week.
That matters because Daniels is one of Sayin’s top protectors. He played 32 total snaps in the season opener against Ball State and was a Third Team All-Big Ten selection in 2025. His injury came during the Week 2 loss to Texas, when Ohio State blew a 23-3 lead and fell 24-23 in Austin.
In Daniels’ place, Gabe VanSickle handled the job against Kent State and logged 48 snaps in Week 3. He looked solid, and Ohio State appears comfortable using him as its sixth offensive lineman, the first option off the bench at either interior or exterior spots. That flexibility has also allowed Austin Siereveld to slide out to tackle when needed.
Still, Kent State was a much softer test than what’s waiting now. Illinois will be Ohio State’s first real conference challenge, and the Buckeyes’ ability to protect up front without their usual starting five will be worth watching closely.
It also gives Ohio State a chance to show how it responds after the Texas loss. Whether Daniels is ready to go or VanSickle gets the start again, the reshuffled line will be under the spotlight in the Big Ten opener.
Day will have to decide what gives his team the best chance on Saturday. Illinois is a different kind of opponent, and the Fighting Illini would love nothing more than to take down the Big Ten giants.
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