Ohio State’s offensive line is entering fall camp with a real jolt of uncertainty, but also something Ryan Day hasn’t had in a while: options.
The biggest question sits on the right side, where the Buckeyes lost Tegra Tshabola in the offseason after last year’s unit struggled badly. Four starters are back, but how they’ll actually line up is still up in the air. One open spot at right guard has become the obvious battleground, with Joshua Padilla among the names in the mix.
Day, though, pointed to Phillip Daniels as a player who could end up shaping the whole picture.
"Probably practice nine or 10, we'd like to have that sorted out. A big part of that is going to be how Phil plays, how Josh plays, how Ian (Moore) plays, because if that allows us the opportunity to move Austin (Siereveld), then we will.
The good news is that we have some good options there. If all of a sudden Phil or Ian shows us a high level of play in practice, then that gives us a level of flexibility."
That’s a pretty clear signal that nothing is locked in. Daniels, who started at right tackle last season after transferring from Minnesota, had an uneven year for Ohio State. His final couple of games were especially rough, with several instances where he was simply overpowered and couldn’t hold up the way the Buckeyes needed.
Day made it sound like the staff is committed to putting the five best linemen on the field, not just handing out jobs based on last year’s depth chart. If Daniels doesn’t raise his level, Ian Moore could work his way into the conversation and change the alignment altogether.
That flexibility is part of what Day likes most about this group. He said Ohio State’s offensive line is the deepest it has been since he took over as head coach, and the plan is to sort things out early in camp. The Buckeyes want that group settled in the first couple of weeks so the line can build some stability.
That matters for Julian Sayin, too. Once the front five is set, he can start building more chemistry with the guys protecting him.
The problems at the end of last season were tied together: Sayin didn’t have enough time to push the ball downfield, and the right side of the line wasn’t holding up well enough. He also didn’t scramble enough to buy himself extra time.
Day knows both pieces have to improve if Ohio State is going to chase a national title this season.
In Other News...
Jeremiah Smith Just Put Serious Weight Behind One Buckeyes Freshman
Big Ten Media Days usually bring the usual summer polish, but Jeremiah Smith gave Ohio State a little more than a canned answer when the conversation turned to freshman receiver Brock Boyd. Smith made it clear he has noticed Boyds playmaking already, and the praise carried extra weight coming from the Buckeyes top returning wideout, who knows what it looks like when a young receiver starts earning trust quickly.
Boyds path into the lineup is part of a broader competition that is still taking shape, with five receivers battling for three steady spots behind Smith. Brandon Inniss, Devin McCuin, Kyle Parker and Chris Henry Jr. are all in that mix, and Boyds emergence only adds another layer to a group that is trying to sort itself out before the season gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]
National Buzz Is Building Around Ohio States Next Receiver Threat
National attention is starting to follow Chris Henry Jr., and for good reason. Pete Nakos recently put the Ohio State freshman on his list of true freshmen who could make an immediate impact this season, a sign that the buzz around the receiver room is already reaching beyond Columbus. With Jeremiah Smith established as the headliner, the Buckeyes are still sorting out who else can step into meaningful snaps, and Henry Jr. has the kind of talent that keeps him in that conversation.
The opportunity is real because the depth chart behind Smith is still unsettled, leaving several young receivers to battle for limited spots. If Henry Jr. keeps flashing in camp, he could put himself in position to matter right away, which is exactly why his name is drawing so much interest before the season even starts. For Ohio State, the appeal is obvious: another high-end receiver threat emerging early would only deepen a room that already carries plenty of intrigue. [Read more 🡒]