You can now cross two names off the list of potential grad transfer offensive linemen for Ohio State.
Sunday, a source close to two-time all-ACC guard Parker Braun confirmed to TheOzone that he had committed to Texas during a weekend visit. That ended the intriguing possibility that Braun might be willing to sit out the 2019 season and then play as a redshirt senior in 2020.
And last week, Virginia guard R.J. Proctor told TheOzone that he was canceling his planned visit for this weekend.
That news came in the wake of yet another grad transfer, Jonah Jackson from Rutgers, committing to the Buckeyes.
That’s a lot of news in the span of just a handful of days, all during what is traditionally a quiet time of year for recruiting.
With those three recruitments now settled and spring practice set to open on Wednesday, it’s a good time to take an updated look at where things stand up front.
The offensive line was a major concern for the Buckeyes as recently as a month ago. They had only 11 scholarship players at the position in the leadup to the February National Letter Of Intent Day.
But then, OSU added guard Enokk Vimahi and tackle Dawand Jones on Signing Day, and brought in Jackson last week.
All of a sudden that extremely concerning number of 11 was up to a much more reasonable 14 for 2019.
Walk-on Kevin Woidke earned a scholarship as well, which improved the number on paper without actually impacting the team’s depth.
Still, the coaching staff deserves a lot of credit for pulling the line situation out of the ditch in the last six weeks.
The Buckeyes enter spring practice with only one true returning starter, left tackle Thayer Munford. But right guard Wyatt Davis started the 2018 Big Ten Championship Game and Rose Bowl after Demetrius Knox suffered a foot injury. And Josh Alabi started the Rose Bowl at left tackle when Munford suffered an injury.
The coaching staff was impressed enough with Josh Myers in the middle of the 2018 season that they said they would have felt comfortable starting him at center if needed.
Branden Bowen was the starter at right guard in 2017 before suffering a broken leg. He missed all of 2018 after suffering a setback in his rehab, but is expected to be ready to go this spring – likely at left guard.
Those are five solid options up front for OSU to build on, and are probably the five players who enter the spring penciled in at the top of the depth chart.
Redshirt freshman tackle Nick Petit-Frere, an extremely highly-touted 2018 recruit, figures to push Alabi for the starting job at right tackle.
Jackson will come in this summer with an honorable mention all-conference season under his belt, and could be in the mix for the starting job at either guard spot or center.
Redshirt freshman Matthew Jones was ranked as the top center in the 2018 recruiting class, and could slot in at any of the three interior spots.
Woidke, junior Gavin Cupp, and redshirt freshman Max Wray could also be in the mix.
True freshman Ryan Jacoby is likely to redshirt, as are Harry Miller, Vimahi and Dawand Jones, all of whom will arrive this summer.
But heading into spring, the most important thing isn’t exactly who the five starters will be this fall. It’s that there are multiple real, legitimate options at every spot on the line.
Based on where the Buckeyes were a month ago, that’s already a massive win.
Below is a chart listing every scholarship offensive lineman by class. Long-snapper Liam McCullough is listed on the chart below, even though he only plays on special teams.
You’ll notice that five players will be out of eligibility after this year, so the 2020 recruiting cycle is another crucial one for Buckeyes along the offensive line.
But with 5-star tackle Paris Johnson, 4-star guard Luke Wypler, and 3-star tackle Jakob James already committed, OSU is well on its way to solving its line issues for the long-term as well.
* – has used redshirt season, # – 2019 early enrollee
| Class | Players |
|---|---|
| Freshmen | Ryan Jacoby # Dawand Jones Matthew Jones * Harry Miller Nick Petit-Frere * Enokk Vimahi Max Wray * |
| Sophomores | Wyatt Davis * Josh Myers * |
| Juniors | Gavin Cupp * Thayer Munford |
| Seniors | Josh Alabi * Branden Bowen * Jonah Jackson * Liam McCullough * Kevin Woidke * |