The Ohio State football program has a long history of producing elite offensive lines. Under Urban Meyer, a new term was coined for the unit, SLOBS.
From 2012-2015, players like Andrew Norwell, Corey Linsley, Taylor Decker, Jacoby Boren, Billy Price, Pat Elflein, Jack Mewhort and my personal favorite Marcus Hall paved the way up front for explosive and balanced Ohio State offenses.
There has been a dip in execution, collectively, over the last three seasons.
Price and Elflein definitely had personal success, winning the Rimington Trophy as the best center in college football in back-to-back seasons. I still think having to move All-Big Ten guards to center the last three years impacted the overall success of the unit.
With four starters gone to graduation or leaving early for the NFL, it is natural to be concerned about the line next year. I am actually optimistic that this will be the strength of the team.
The 2017 and 2018 recruiting classes were both strong and will pay dividends in 2019.
Thayer Munford started at left tackle as a true sophomore last season. It took an injury to Demetrius Knox for Wyatt Davis to crack the starting lineup, but he played well against Northwestern and Washington.
The 5-star guard out California is poised for breakout season.
Greg Studrawa had to move Michael Jordan to center because Brady Taylor was injured and sophomore Josh Myers was not quite ready to handle the full-time duties. Studrawa is now fully confident Myers is his guy telling Marcus Hartman of the Dayton Daily News that Josh has all the tools and can handle making the right calls.
If they stay healthy, the top three guys from the 2017 class are ready to be the foundation for a couple of years. This leaves right tackle and left guard as the open spots heading into spring.
Branden Bowen is finally back from injury and Joshua Alabi, who played well as the left tackle backup, are solid options. Add in Nick Petit-Frere, Matt Jones and Max Wray who all redshirted in 2018, and the competition will be fierce.
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The off-season conditioning regimen with Mickey Marotti is key for the young guys. They need to bulk up and improve agility.
I expect Bowen to lock down the left guard spot and Alibi, Petit-Frere and Wray to compete for right tackle.
The conference schedule is difficult, likely playing the three top teams from the West, and Penn State and Michigan back-to-back to end the regular season. The only way to navigate unscathed is if the line is dominant and deep.
Make it to the playoffs, Clemson will be waiting. The line will be the key to winning that game.