Ohio State football: A way-too-early look at the offensive line

With Dawand Jones announcing he will be returning for another season, it opens the door for us to take a way-too-early look at how the Ohio State football team’s offensive line might line up in 2022. Who plays where and who plays at all will probably come down to the skillsets newly hired O-line coach Justin Frye is looking for at each position.

Center: Harry Miller was supposed to be the guy here in 2021, but injuries ruined his season. Luke Wypler stepped in and, while not spectacular, he was certainly solid. If Miller is healthy I don’t doubt he will push Wypler to be the starter here. When the season opens against Notre Dame, I expect Wypler to get the call and improve on the Honorable Mention All-Big Ten he received this past season.

Guard: This is where things get really interesting, I think. After struggling to run the ball too often last season, I’ll be shocked if Frye does not use true guards here instead of moving tackles inside. I look for super-sub Matthew Jones to finally become a full-time starter.

Jones has plenty of starting experience that includes the national championship game and Rose Bowl. As for the other spot, I would not be surprised to see Miller battling sophomore Donovan Jackson, who played in all thirteen games as a true freshman. A former five-star recruit, Jackson is viewed as a star in the making.

Tackle: I think who will start here is pretty obvious. Dawand Jones will more than likely be joined Paris Johnson, Jr., who moves out to this position from guard where he was third-team All-Big Ten. Since he has far more starting experience at tackle than Johnson, I think Jones moves over to the left side after spending 2021 on the right. Johnson is another former five-star recruit who is viewed as a star in the making. Because tackle is his natural position, expect him to make a decided impact in 2022.

Wild cards: Is there anyone among the offensive line group who can push the six I’ve mentioned here? At first glance, I’m going to say no. I think most of the remainder is a year away, but I’ll give you two names who could make their presence felt.

Redshirt sophomore Josh Fryar had an excellent spring last year and played in all but one game in 2021. He could be the first tackle off the bench if there is an injury to either starter. Enokk Vimahi was moved to tackle last season, but at 6’4” is better suited for guard.

When I watched him in limited playing time as a true freshman I loved how he was aggressive and got after defenders. I think it is going to be difficult for anyone to make a real push for playing time on the interior of the Ohio State football team’s line, but Vimahi is capable of doing so.

I’m excited to see what Frye can do with this group. He implemented NFL-like blocking concepts that worked well when he was at UCLA. To be honest, I don’t care if they are junior high concepts as long as they work, and the Buckeyes can run the ball effectively in all situations regardless of their opponent.

Well, there is a way-too-early look at the offensive line. There is a lot of conjecture on my part, but I think many things are obvious when you look at the personnel.