Ohio State football: A Buckeye Battleship Row

The Ohio State football program doesn’t get enough credit for developing offensive linemen year in and year out. This year, they have a chance to show why they deserve that credit.

Ohio State’s offensive line is affectionately known as the Slobs. They’re a proud group of road graders who do the dirty work so the Ohio State football team’s supremely talented skill people can do their thing. The Slobs are usually made up of very large people.

This year’s version of them is possibly going to be the largest group yet. When they break the huddle and get into their stances, this group will look a bit like a scarlet and gray version of Battleship Row.

This is going to be a very large offensive line. Even before 360-pound Dawand Jones was installed at right tackle it was going to be an unusually big unit. The quintet of Nicholas Petit-Frere, Thayer Munford, Harry Miller, Paris Johnson, Jr., and Jones will go 315, 320, 315, 315, and 360.

Even in a day when offensive linemen tip the scales regularly at 300 pounds, that’s a big offensive line. Big is one thing. Big offensive lines are a dime a dozen. But, big and athletic offensive lines are not. So, is this Battleship Row-like offensive line for the Buckeyes athletic as well? Tackles and tight ends coach Kevin Wilson answered that question the other day,

"“But they’re pretty athletic though. It’s nice to be big, but those cats can move a little bit now. Both Dawand and Thayer are athletic Paris (Johnson) of course is athletic. Nick Petit(-Frere) is very athletic. The athleticism of that unit is maybe even more impressive than the size.”"

That’s exactly what you want to hear. Not just big, but big and exceptionally athletic. And deep. This offensive line is developing exceptional depth. Wilson talked about how well Matthew Jones has been playing. That’s not a surprise considering how well he played last year while filling in for Harry Miller at guard. Wilson also mentioned the fall camp performances of Luke Wypler (center), Josh Fryar (guard), and five-star true freshman Donovan Jackson (guard). Wilson said this,

"“So, we’re going to have more than five that we can play with and that’s encouraging and exciting.”"

I have no doubt this group will allow the Ohio State offense to effectively run the football. There were pass blocking issues among the interior at times last year. Because they were able to go through a full Spring practice and Fall camp, I don’t expect the same communication problems and confusion over blitz pick-up assignments in 2021. This group has the chance to be one of the better offensive line units in school history.

Years ago, I covered Wisconsin and eventual Heisman winner Ron Dayne playing the Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. When the Badgers’ offensive line trundled out for their first series, I thought the field was actually going to tilt. They looked enormous. This OSU line is bigger than that one.

So, if you’re at The Shoe watching our favorite team and you notice your drink spilling over a bit when the offense takes the field, you’ll know why.