The Ohio State Buckeyes' offensive line is a veteran-laden group that returns a host of experience playing together for the 2026 season. And yet, this spring didn't get to see the group get a chance to establish chemistry and show that the group is improved, writes The Athletic's Cameron Teague Robinson.
Teague relayed a lack of concern over injuries to guard Joshua Padilla, tackle/guard Austin Siereveld, and tackle Phillip Daniels, but brought up the oft-mentioned protection failures during the team's two losses last season to the Indiana Hoosiers in the Big Ten title game and the Miami Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl Classic.
Per Teague, "We weren’t able to see much growth or rotational work from the starters this spring because of injuries. The good thing for Ohio State is that the coaching staff isn’t worried about injuries to Joshua Padilla, Austin Siereveld, and Phillip Daniels lingering into preseason camp. While the best thing for the offensive line could be to move Siereveld to guard and put Ian Moore at left tackle, it’s not an area where the Buckeyes have been able to get a lot of reps, which makes preseason camp even more important for Tyler Bowen’s group. On paper, they should be good, but the performances against Miami and Indiana are fresh in everybody’s mind. We’ve seen nothing to change those images, so far."
Ohio State football's depth in the trenches could be tested in 2026
If any of the aforementioned Buckeyes' injuries bleed into the 2026 season, we could see the program's trench depth tested. True freshman Sam Greer could be in for some backup duty, while Ian Moore's versatility may be put to the test.
There weren't many losses outside of Tegra Tshabola at right guard, but Ohio State needs to have its players in practice to meaningfully build chemistry. Without those reps, there aren't many benefits to not bringing in new talent after getting dominated by athletic edge rushers from Indiana and, particularly, Miami, this past December.
Especially in the interior, the Buckeyes need to figure out how to move as one and nail their assignments. That will come naturally against most Big Ten teams, but with strong defensive fronts like the Texas Longhorns, Oregon Ducks, and even TTUN this coming year, the more practice, the better before the season. Otherwise, Big Ten contention might not be a shoo-in, since Arthur Smith's offenses only work with strong line play.
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