Ohio State Football: 3 under the radar Buckeyes poised to have a big year
Nicholas Petit-Frere, offensive tackle
Nicholas Petit-Frere was one of the top recruits coming out of the 2018 class. The number seven overall player in that class, according to 247Sorts, Petit-Frere has kind of been a bit of a let down thus far into his Buckeye career. That needs to change next season.
Fifth year senior Branden Bowen will be leaving the team as he had a tremendous season at right tackle for Ohio State. Someone is going to need to step up and take over that position next year. Look for Petit-Frere to get the first crack at that spot.
Petite-Frere lost an intense training camp battle to Bowen in the summer and it seems like that has motivated him even more to work hard and learn from the older players, via Letterman Row:
"“There was such a big gap between freshman year and sophomore year, in terms of the stuff I learned and technique, stuff like that. Even when I lost the job, me, Bowen, Thayer [Munford] and Josh [Alabi], we all learn from each other about different techniques and how to become better players no matter what. So whatever happened, it was just a way for me to get better and learn to prepare.”"
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It’s a great sign that the former five-star prospect took his lost competition to Bowen as motivation to get better and work harder throughout the 2019 campaign. As the Buckeyes head into offseason workouts and eventually spring ball, look for Petite-Frere to take grasp of the opening at right tackle and not let go.