Two Ohio State offensive linemen have a chance to steal starting spots in 2024.
Columbus, Ohio Ahead of a crucial spring, Ryan Day challenged a few players on Ohio State’s offensive line.
The offensive line struggled in the previous season, losing the Cotton Bowl to Missouri 14-3 in the last game as a result of their total collapse. Although four of the five starters from the previous season return in 2024, it doesn’t guarantee they’ll remain in their positions.
Day expressed his hope that this spring will be the most competitive since he has been here. However, we’ll see.
Day desires competition in all areas come springtime. In the offensive line, however, it is the one position group that really requires it. Even with three new faces in the quarterback room, it’s the position on this team that has the greatest questions associated with it.
The Buckeyes must see a significant increase in the ceiling and floor in that space to ensure that it won’t be the factor holding back a squad that returns so many talented players. Seth McLaughlin, a former center for Alabama, was added without hesitation via the transfer portal because of this.
Day remarked, “Big Spring.” “Great spring for those two guys, and they’re not the only ones.” Many of the other males in the room think that this is a big spring for them.
Montgomery, a former top 100 prospect who made an impression as soon as he set foot on school, is beginning his second year. During his rookie season, he played 44 snaps, primarily in the role of Bison. It’s the same role Josh Fryar played in 2022 and Donovan Jackson played in 2021 as true freshmen. The next season, both of them were starters after filling that role.
Tshabola is the “eye test” in its most literal sense. With a high athletic center and a stature of 6 feet 6 inches, he might be a first-round pick provided he can stay healthy. Entering his third season, he has played 83 snaps in the previous two, including a stint in the Cotton Bowl as a Bison.
Fryar, who may remain at right tackle or shift inside to guard, is anticipated to fight for slots on the offensive line, joining those two in the fray.
Two spaces, three players. Though more names may be added throughout those 15 practices, that is the starting battle going into the spring. However, the challenge is now out there.
Highly regarded recruits Montgomery and Tshabola appeared as players projected to be a part of the offensive line for the Buckeyes in the future. Both laid the groundwork in their early years to position themselves to succeed in that endeavor in 2024. It’s time to go out and do it now.
“We’re going to see where we’re at and have a really competitive spring,” Day declared. “At this point, we think we have enough guys in this building to go win a national championship.” When we realize we don’t after the spring, that’s where we’ll have to go. However, there are some very talented young players in that room, and guys with some experience are now returning. That should be significant for the upcoming season.
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