Scarlet Sunrise: Buckeyes evaluating offensive line ahead of CFP
COLUMBUS — Ohio State did not play well along the offensive line in the loss to Michigan — yet the Buckeyes insisted on continuing to run the football between the tackles, where Michigan’s strength was.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day said in the aftermath of the poor offensive line showing, that unit will be evaluated ahead of the College Football Playoff. And changes could certainly be in order.
“Probably could have done that in the game and considered that in the game. It was a big game. Didn’t think that was the right thing to do at the time,” Day said. “But looking back, probably, should have at least tried something. So, yeah, we will look into, this week, on doing some of that. … All the above. You know, [backup center] Josh [Padilla] and [interior OL] Luke [Montgomery] — even consider moving [left tackle] Donovan [Jackson] back inside. We’ve done a bunch of different things in terms of communication and in terms of talking in the meeting room.
“We’re not there yet, making a decision. We do have a couple weeks here to take a look at those things and see what gives us the best chance. And maybe it’s multiple guys.”
Ohio State has options, particularly in the middle of the line at guard and center. It seems some position battles could take place to make sure that unit is shored up heading into a potential national title run.
Full coverage of National Signing Day
Ohio State welcomed at the very least 25 new faces to its program on Dec. 4, the opening day of the early signing period.
The Buckeyes closed the day with the fifth-ranked class according to On3 and had to battle to keep a few commitments in the fold.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day looks to sign another top-five recruiting class when it is all said and done. Should the Buckeyes complete the class and it sticks inside the top five, this will be Day’s sixth top-five class. The 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020 classes all were inside the top five nationally.
Lettermen Row has complete and full coverage of the early signing period as Ohio State looks to close out another successful cycle.
Buckeyes left tackle Josh Simmons declares for NFL Draft
Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons declared for the NFL Draft Wednesday morning, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.
Simmons went down on the field at Autzen Stadium on Oct. 12 on the final play of the first quarter in the Buckeyes 32-31 loss to Oregon. He was carted off the field, taken into the locker room and held out for the rest of the game.
Ohio State struggled to replace the production of Simmons after his injury, turning first to backup left tackle Zen Michalski and then left guard Donovan Jackson at left tackle. Michalski was injured in the next game, clearing the way for Jackson to become the full-time left tackle.
Simmons had one year of eligibility remaining, and Ohio State had some optimism that he could return to anchor the Buckeyes offensive line and solidify himself as a first-round draft choice.
Buckeyes pummeled on road by Maryland in Big Ten opener
The Big Ten slate could not have opened on a worse note for Jake Diebler and Ohio State basketball. The Buckeyes were crushed by Maryland in a game that was never close.
The Terrapins sprinted out to an early lead and never looked back. By halftime, the Buckeyes were down 33, the largest halftime deficit in a Big Ten game since the 1996-1997 season, according to the Big Ten Network broadcast. At the end of the game, it wasn’t much better.
Final score: Maryland 83, Ohio State 59.
Second-year forward Devin Royal had 18 to lead the Buckeyes, while freshman guard John Mobley Jr. added 15. The Buckeyes shot a poor 4 of 18 (22 percent) from 3-point range.
Counting down
Ohio State at Michigan: 360 days
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The post Scarlet Sunrise: Buckeyes evaluating offensive line ahead of CFP appeared first on On3.
