Ohio State Football: Offensive line still unsettled

The Ohio State football team is nearing the end of Spring practices. Spring practices will end with the annual Spring Game on Saturday afternoon. There is a lot to learn about this team when we do see them take the field on Saturday, including what to make of the offensive line.

While we won’t get to see the quarterback battle we thought we would, the offensive line still has questions that need to be answered. The Buckeyes are trying to replace starters at both tackle positions and at center. Ryan Day mentioned that nothing has been decided.

It does seem pretty certain that Josh Fryar will be the left tackle. I thought that Carson Hinzman had a pretty good lead at center but that may not be the case based on Day’s comments. Right tackle seems to be a complete toss-up between Zen Michalski and Tegra Tshabola.

The Spring Game could be a pretty good separator for these offensive linemen. Going up against great defensive ends like J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer will tell us a lot about how good these tackles are. If they can contain them, that could give them the edge in their battle.

I will be watching right tackle the most on the offensive side of the ball. I want to know that that position can pass and run block effectively. The Ohio State football team struggled to run the ball at times last season and I want that to get fixed, especially with how deep the running back room is.

I do expect the right tackle battle to continue into the Fall. Center could be decided on by the time the Spring Game is finished, but that might go into the Fall too. I think Fryar has a stranglehold on that left tackle position and isn’t letting it go. Only time will tell though.