Figuring out the best offensive line combination for the Ohio State football team
By Ryan Stano
![Sept. 9, 2023; Columbus, Oh., USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) and Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Josh Simmons (71) play during the first half of Saturday's NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium. Sept. 9, 2023; Columbus, Oh., USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) and Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Josh Simmons (71) play during the first half of Saturday's NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_5600,h_3150,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/151/01j2ynvjj3j3an15ehwj.jpg)
The Ohio State football team has most of the roster set up. Most of the starters have been decided on both sides of the ball. Defensively, the only question left is trying to figure out if C.J. Hicks or Cody Simon will start next to Sonny Styles at the linebacker position.
Offensively, one of the biggest questions still yet to be settled is the offensive line. We don't know what the combination is going to be yet. We know Donovan Jackson will start at left guard and Josh Simmons will start at left tackle. That's about all that's set in stone right now.
It looks like Seth McLaughlin is likely going to start at center. Carson Hinzman is the leading candidate to start at right guard, which would be his natural position. He's still fighting though because Josh Fryar might be moved to guard to make room for Luke Montgomery at right tackle.
This is the proper offensive line combination for the Ohio State football team
While the Buckeyes have plenty of options, there is one combination that would be the best starting lineup. The two on the left side make sense. It seems like McLaughlin has fixed the snapping yips that grabbed a hold of him at Alabama, so slot him at center.
Carson Hinzman would be the best option at right guard. That's his natural spot and he should be much better at guard than he was at center as a freshman. Luke Montgomery would be the right call at right tackle too now that he's had a full season to bulk up and get stronger.
I have a feeling that Fryar will end up winning that right tackle job but things are still up in the air. Fall camp will give us a final call on who will get that spot outside. Montgomery needs to have a strong start to Fall to leap a starter from last season.
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It's the battle I will be most focused on once practice starts.