Ian Moore salvaged Ohio State's preferred plan for its starting offensive line this season. If Ryan Day's latest comments on the group are any indication, Moore has locked up the starting left tackle spot, allowing Austin Siereveld to play his natural position at right guard. If that's the case, Moore is a fall camp MVP.
Recent reports indicated that Joshua Padilla was stepping up at the guard spot and pushing Moore for a starting role up front. With Siereveld banged up, playing the majority of left tackle snaps could've been a challenge. Especially since he was injured in that role during the team's elimination loss during last year's CFP.
Day seemingly confirmed that won't be the case, with Moore and Phillip Daniels handling the tackle spots.
That makes Moore a fall camp MVP in many ways.
Ian Moore proves he's more than a rotational piece
It felt like any other player earning a job over Moore next to Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman, Siereveld, and Daniels would've been a direct indictment on Moore's growth, or lack thereof. Now in year three, it was time for Moore to mature into the left tackle he was meant to be. He seemingly has.
The six-foot-six Moore came into college with extensive experience at the blindside, but the ability to play inside as well. With eight guys who can handle rotational snaps, including the five aforementioned starters, Padilla, Gabe VanSickle, and even intriguing freshman Sam Greer, the need was for someone on the outside. The Buckeyes have one of, if not the best, interior offensive lines in the country.
Moore is not only proving that he can hold it down at perhaps the most important position on the line, but he's also proving that he can fill any need necessary at The Ohio State University on a full-time basis. NFL front offices will eat that up.
Ian Moore proves Ohio State's development is on track
The most important thing Moore's fall camp proved was that the plan in place has all the right pieces where they need to be. Tyler Bowen is developing the talent Day and GM Mark Pantoni are funneling to him. Moore is proving his athletic merit in a locker room full of elite trench talent on the defensive side of the ball as well.
What Day is overseeing in Central Ohio has a proof of concept. Obviously, having Padilla practically ready to start at the guard spot is also hard evidence of that. Moore becoming what he needs to be so that Siereveld's development isn't stunted, playing at a different position than his preferred one, is more powerful proof, though.
For that reason, Moore has been a true fall camp MVP at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. The Buckeyes are better overall up front because Moore is playing his best. In a position group where chemistry is important, Moore held up his end of the bargain and now resumes his trajectory after filling in capably during the Cotton Bowl Classic against Miami last December.
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