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Ohio State Football: Billy Price is prototypical NFL lineman

By Thomas Scurlock

BLOOMINGTON, IN - AUGUST 31: Urban Meyer the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes gives instructions to his team during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - AUGUST 31: Urban Meyer the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes gives instructions to his team during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Billy Price joined the Ohio State football program as a defensive tackle. He became one of the best offensive linemen ever to play for the Buckeyes.

Blessed and fortunate are the words that come to mind when thinking about Billy’s Price’s impact on the Ohio State football program.

A defensive tackle recruit out of Youngstown quickly turned himself into a dominating offensive lineman.

He earned the starting guard spot as a redshirt freshman in 2014 and never looked back.  He started 55 games and ended his career as one of Ohio State’s best linemen ever.

Like Pat Elflein in 2016, coach Urban Meyer turned to Price when he needed someone to take over the center spot last year.  A smart move by both men.

Price went on to win the Rimington Award as college football’s most outstanding center giving the Buckeyes back-to-back winners of the award.  Elflein won it in 2016.

Beyond playing 55 games and receiving the accolades for his on-the-field performances, Price’s greatest accomplishment as a Buckeye was being a two-time captain.

Much of the off-season discussion will be on quarterback.  That’s understandable.

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Given the lack of talent and depth at center, I believe losing Price is more of a concern to the Buckeyes’ offense than losing J.T.Barrett. Now he is off to the NFL.

Some are concerned that a pectoral injury sustained at the combine while bench pressing may hurt Price’s draft stock.  It won’t.

He is a grinder and has shown he is not prone to injury.  This was a freak injury that could have been avoided except the NFL insists on having the idiotic Combine every year.

Price is a plug-in starter from day one in the NFL. His power, leverage and explosiveness are incredible assets that every team craves.  He can play multiple positions too which is always a plus.

He doesn’t have any meaningful weaknesses except maybe blocking in space. That’s coachable.

Next: Pro scouts saw first hand a Buckeye can fly

I predict he’ll end up with the Minnesota Vikings or New York Giants. Both teams are desperate for offensive line help.

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