Ohio State Football: A look at the offensive line depth chart

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 17: J.T. Barrett
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 17: J.T. Barrett /
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Now that the depth chart has been released, you know Ohio State football is right around the corner.

Now it feels real, the Ohio State football season is about to begin. The depth chart for the first game versus Indiana has been released.

I find the players listed on the offensive side of the ball particularly interesting, especially the offensive line. With all of the four and five-star recruits Urban Meyer brings to Ohio State, a former three star recruit will start at right guard and another is listed in the two deep for the first time. 

Well, here is the depth chart of the O-line:

          First Team                          Second Team

  • LT Jamarco Jones Sr.        Joshua Alabi So.
  • LG Michael Jordan So.     Matthew Burrell So.
  • C   Billy Price Sr.                Brady Taylor Jr.
  • RG Brandon Bowen So.  Malcolm Pridgeon Jr. (or) Wyatt Davis Fr.
  • RT Isaiah Prince Jr.           Thayer Munford Fr.

I have heard Urban Meyer speak highly of Brandon Bowen for at least a year now. However, it looked as though he would have an uphill climb to become the starter at the open right guard spot at the beginning of fall camp.

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Bowen appeared to be behind four star recruits Matthew Burrell and Demetrius Knox as well as Malcolm Pridgeon who was a JUCO transfer last year. I figured he again would be a backup but I guess he didn’t see things that way. He impressed Urban Meyer and offensive line coach Greg Studrawa so much during fall camp, the former three star recruit from Utah earned the starting position to start the season.

Another three star recruit in the 2015 class who made the two deep is Joshua Alabi. He began his Buckeye career on the other side of the ball and just made the switch to offense in the spring. And then there is Brady Taylor who be the backup center again this year. 

Bowen, Alibi  and Taylor prove that players leave their recruiting stars at the door when they enter the Ohio State football program. Everyone is on equal terms when it comes to competing for a spot on the depth chart.

It is interesting that true freshman Wyatt Davis and Thayer Munford, have impressed coach Studrawa enough to make the depth chart. Not a bad start to their Buckeye careers.

Next: Nine predictions for the Buckeyes in 2017

How well this unit performs may very well be the determining factor as to whether or not the Buckeyes win the national championship this year. There appears to be more depth than in years past so that’s a good sign. Next, I will look at the depth chart of the skill position players.