Ohio State football: Offensive line gets key cog back for 2021

The Ohio State football team got great news when their starting left tackle decided to come back for the 2021 season.

The Ohio State football team had a really good offensive line in 2020. They struggled a bit early on opening up holes in the running game and protecting Justin Fields, but they got better as the year went on. By the end of the season, they were the best offensive line in the Big Ten.

Unfortunately, they weren’t quite elite. They needed to be elite to win the National Championship. That could change in 2021. They are now returning a key cog on that line that could help them be elite. The left tackle, Thayer Munford, has decided to return for next season.

Having Munford back is huge for the Buckeyes. He gives them experience and poise at that left tackle position. He didn’t allow a single sack all season long. They need that experience at perhaps the most important position on the offensive line.

Nicholas Petit-Frere is the only one on the line who hasn’t made a definitive decision on his future yet. If he comes back, the Buckeyes will have three starters back on the line, only losing center Josh Myers and right guard Wyatt Davis. Everyone else would be back.

If Petit-Frere does come back, he would be the right tackle. Harry Miller, who was at left guard this season, would likely slide over to center. Paris Johnson would then likely move to right guard and Munford would obviously stay at left tackle. The only question is left guard.

That last guard position would be between Matthew Jones and Dawand Jones. Both are sophomores and have a lot of talent. Matt Jones did start a game this season though and actually played pretty well. He started at left guard in the Michigan State game.

No matter who starts at that guard position, Ohio State should be excited about their offensive line. It’s a line that will be elite in both pass protection and the run game.