Ohio State Football: Ryan Day adds clarity to offensive line situation

The Ohio State football team will welcome three new starters on its offensive line in 2023. Ryan Day added some clarity to the position room.

Ryan Day and the Ohio State football team will have a transition to make in terms of its offensive line. With three new expected starters following the departures of Luke Wypler, Dawand Jones, and Parris Johnson, the Buckeyes will have to get creative on how it fills the void.

On Wednesday, Ryan Day held a press conference and clarified the position group a bit. He made mention that he was surprised by Luke Wypler’s departure and that made things a little more complicated for Justin Frye’s unit.

The big news however came when Day mentioned that guards Matthew Jones and Donovan Jackson would stay in place for the 2023 season and that Josh Fryar would get the first crack at the open left tackle position. So, for now, at least, it sounds like three positions are set in pencil and the open competition would be at center and right tackle. But Day did add that Fryar’s needs to have a strong spring or they’ll “bring in another transfer if needed.”

It also makes perfect sense now why Victor Cutler, who started at left tackle in 2022 for UL-Monroe was brought in as a transfer and said that he expected to compete at center for Ohio State. I think Cutler believes he was always considered to be an interior lineman and was playing out of position last season.

Day also made note that Tegra Tshabola would be moved from guard to tackle as it looks like he will be a frontrunner for the opening at right tackle. Tshabola is a massive human being, much like Dewand Jones, as he stands at 6’5 and 345 pounds. He impressed last spring, so it appears that he’s been coming on for some time now.

Hopefully, Ohio State can get its five offensive linemen locked into their positions before spring ball ends. It would be great to know that they have five capable players before the summer that they feel confident in.