Ohio State Football: One transfer who will make an immediate impact
By Ryan Stano
![Aug 3, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; Josh Fryar (left) and Josh Simmons walk on the field befofre the first football practice of the 2023 season at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Doral Chenoweth-The Columbus Dispatch Aug 3, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; Josh Fryar (left) and Josh Simmons walk on the field befofre the first football practice of the 2023 season at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Doral Chenoweth-The Columbus Dispatch](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b864b5d21ef463582ca5f807d7a3afc55300978828db96018984b8de285defb3.jpg)
The Ohio State football team brought in quite a few transfers this offseason. The transfer portal is a useful source of recruits this day and age and Ryan Day did a nice job using it. One of the players he grabbed from the portal already looks like he’s going to make an immediate impact.
That transfer is Jimmy Simmons. Simmons, whose real name is Josh Simmons but prefers to go by “Jimmy”, transferred in from San Diego State. He was a four-star transfer recruit according to 247Sports and chose Ohio State. Since coming to campus, he’s had a rapid rise.
Simmons was initially not thought to be in the plans as a starting tackle this season. The junior has changed that thought process quickly. Simmons was actually the starting left tackle in the Ohio State football team’s scrimmage last weekend, which was a surprise.
Now, it looks like Simmons has the inside track at landing that starting left tackle spot. He’s someone that will make an immediate impact on this Buckeye time. Whether that impact is good or bad is hard to tell, but I think he’ll be a solid addition along the offensive line.
Looking at his tape while he was with the Aztecs, Simmons shouldn’t have too much trouble in the Big Ten. He uses his feet well to move laterally and avoids holding. In the run game, he’s someone that gets downhill quickly and really can move the line of scrimmage.
On an offensive line that will have three new starters, having Simmons be one of them wouldn’t be a bad thing. I want to see him against Big Ten competition before I make any swift judgments though. If he does win that starting job, that IU game will be a good first test for him.
As for the rest of the offensive line, that still needs to be settled. Simmons has the upper hand at the most important position along the line though.
dark. Next. Three position battles to watch