Ohio State Football: Freshman lineman Dawand Jones is impressing
Offensive lineman Dawand Jones is proving he can play. Is he the left tackle of the future for the Ohio State football team?
True freshman offensive tackle Dawand Jones turns heads every time he steps out on the football field. Standing at 6 foot 8 inches tall, weighing 360 pounds, the former three star recruit from Indianapolis looks more like the ‘Incredible Hulk‘ than a football player.
More than just his size however, his recent play has had me wondering if Dawand is the Buckeyes future at left tackle. Injuries to starter Thayer Munford and backup swing tackle Josh Alabi made room for Jones to see action last Friday night vs. Northwestern.
Jones proceeded to pancake half of Northwestern’s defensive line to open up a gap the size of the Cumberland to spring Master Teague’s 73 yard touchdown run.
In a year in which Jones was supposed to redshirt and develop his game, he may indeed see significant reps as the season moves along. This from head coach Ryan Day via Cleveland.com when asked if Dawand will redshirt:
"“He’ll probably go more than four just because he is very talented. We want to get him in some of these games when we can. His ceiling is very high. We want his development to continue. I really think it’s important for these guys to play.”"
It indeed will be important for coach Day to get his big tackle meaningful game action as this could be Thayer Munford’s last season in Columbus. Draftblaster.com says that Munford could go as high as the second round in the 2020 NFL Draft if he decides to forgo his senior season.
If Munford decides to leave, it would leave a two-man battle royal between Jones and former 2018 five-star recruit Nicholas Petit-Frere for the opening game start. Petit-Frere saw action vs. Northwestern as well, and the reviews were mixed as he was replaced in the second quarter.
Right tackle Wyatt Davis could make the jump to the left side of the line, leaving his current spot available.
Next. Bosa brothers headline Buckeyes in NFL week 7. dark
I would look for Jones to see a lot of action against Rutgers and Maryland to get his confidence up heading into next season. I also would not be shocked to start seeing him get in on goal-line or short yardage situations as an extra lineman. And if Dawand continues to impress, look for him to possibly be Ohio State’s starting left tackle next season.