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Ohio State football team loses their best offensive lineman to the NFL Draft

The Ohio State football team will need a new left tackle after Josh Simmons declared for the NFL Draft.

By Ryan Stano

Sep 16, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Josh Simmons (71) gets a pat on the back from coach Justin Frye during the NCAA football game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 63-10.
Sep 16, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Josh Simmons (71) gets a pat on the back from coach Justin Frye during the NCAA football game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 63-10. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Coming into this season, the Ohio State football team was supposed to have a much better offensive line than in 2023. Left tackle Josh Simmons is one of the guys that they needed to step up and have a massive improvement. He had a tough time in 2023, especially in The Game against Michigan.

In 2024, Simmons was absolutely fantastic. He made a giant leap and seemed to finally put it all together. He was the best offensive lineman by far on the Buckeyes. Simmons was on his way to an All-American type season. Then, the Oregon game happened.

Simmons suffered a major leg injury that forced him to be carted off the field. He missed the rest of the season. That was just the first of several big injuries to the offensive line. Simmons won't be part of the 2025 Buckeyes either because he has decided to move on to the NFL.

Ohio State football player Josh Simmons declares for the NFL

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Josh Simmons has declared for the NFL Draft. That means the Buckeyes will need to replace their left tackle next year. Simmons is projected to be a first-round pick. Based on how he was playing before he got hurt, that makes a lot of sense.

This is not a surprise. Simmons' declaration makes all the sense in the world. He was always going to head to the NFL after this season. The season-ending injury confirmed it. He needs to be able to capitalize on his success while he can. He's going to be a solid NFL player with his size and athleticism.

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The Ohio State football team doesn't have a lot of depth on the offensive line. Next year is going to be a lot of new guys in new spots up front. They can't worry about that right now. They still have a chance to win a national championship this season.

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