Ohio State Football: Who will lead all-new offensive line?

In recent years, Ohio State offensive lines has been among the best in college football. But with 4 out of 5 starters gone from last year, who will step up and lead the fresh faces?

Throughout the years, from Jim Parker to Orlando Pace (both NFL hall of Famers) to Billy Price, Ohio State has produced offensive linemen who were high NFL draft picks. But with the mass exodus of last year’s starters, who will lead a group that contributed greatly to Dwayne Haskins‘ record-setting 2018 campaign?

In the 2018 NFL Draft, Isaiah Prince and Michael Jordan found new homes in the NFL, while Malcolm Pridgeon and Demetrious Knox were signed as UFAs. Thayer Munford is the only starter remaining, but will he be the one to lead the new guys?

Among those “new guys” are Wyatt Davis, Josh Myers, Brandon Bowen and Joshua Alabi, who are projected by Athlon Sports to start in 2019. Rutgers transfer Jonah Jackson could see some starting time in his final year of eligibility, while stellar redshirt freshman Nicholas Petit-Frere and Max Wray could see playing time if anyone else struggles.

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Munford may be the only returning starter, but Bowen and Alabi are the only seniors. This could contribute to them being looked at as the leaders for an offensive line that will be a major catalyst if the Ohio State offense is to succeed.

Greg Studrawa, who has led the unit for three years, has the difficult but seemingly regular task of replacing most of the Ohio State offensive line. This year is similar to 2014 when Ed Warinner had to replace four starters.

The only returning starter that year was junior Tackle Taylor Decker. This year’s returning starter is also a junior tackle, Thayer Munford.

This may just be a happy coincidence, but check out the other situations prior to the national championship season to those now.

A potential redshirt freshman starter (Billy Price in 2014, Petit-Frere this year) and a stellar sophomore or two; (Pat Elflein in ’14, Davis and Myers this year). Possibly the Buckeyes will draw off their recent history to bring together another impressive offensive line to vault themselves into another College Football Playoff appearance.

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If the O-Line meshes and the offense is once again successful, could we see Ohio State in New Orleans playing for a championship in college football’s 150th season?

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