Five bold predictions as Buckeyes builds a powerful offensive line

COLUMBUS: Nothing happens without the help of the offensive line, and the state of Ohio could have the best talent of anyone in the nation.

Combine that with a group loaded with skill weapons, arguably the best quarterback in the country and a state-of-the-art coaching staff, and it’s not hard to imagine the Buckeyes paving the way for a truly terrifying score attack.

Expectations obviously couldn’t be much higher. But that’s the standard the Buckeyes already hope to meet in a program that has never made it a secret because it is powered by offensive linemen.

“When you’re around every day, I walk down those hallways and see him every day, I know he’s expected to play at that level every day, you just get used to it,” center Josh Myers said last year. “Eventually you get comfortable with it. But at first, it’s incredibly awkward because you know that’s the level of greatness you have to achieve. “

The Buckeyes have the talent to reach that level, starting with Myers in the middle and expanding with American guard Wyatt Davis, multi-year starter Thayer Munford as a tackle and a pair of five-star former recruits at Harry Miller and Nicholas Petit. -Freer who is expected to slide into the starting lineup.

There’s talent coming off the bench, too, and few shows can even come close to the depth and versatility the Buckeyes have at their disposal this year. So what will Ohio State get from those great men? Lettermen Row is wrapping up Offensive Line Week as usual with our staff’s five bold predictions.

Austin Ward: Harry Miller Wins Job, Wins All Big Ten Honors

Ohio State has several options to replace the vacant spot on the left guard, and intends to let the competition unfold on training ground. But Harry Miller is the favorite for good reason, and it would be a surprise if someone else emerges there when the five-star talent enters the next phase of his career with the Buckeyes. Right now, next year, Miller is probably drawing the attention of the first round of the NFL Draft and will be a favorite to become the next winner of the Rimington Trophy for the Buckeyes; That’s how high the expectations are for a lineman who has all the tools and out of the field. The projection here is that Miller will live up to all the hype.

Birm: Buckeyes will accumulate all major trophies

The best offensive line in college football will take serious hardware home very soon, and Ohio State will win the Joe Moore Award, Rimington Trophy, and Outland Trophy. The Buckeyes are going to pull off the trifecta and win the Joe Moore Award for Best Offensive Line Group, which they should have possibly won last season, to become the sixth unit to earn that distinction. But wait, there is more! The two undisputed stars of Ohio’s offensive line will also bring home honors. Josh Myers will continue the career of the Buckeyes Centers by winning the Rimington Award. And upset, Wyatt Davis will take down Penei Sewell and bring the Outland Trophy home as well.

Tim May: Dawand Jones, Paris Johnson to Win Replays for Ohio State

As the surname depth charts advance, few dig deeper than Jones and Johnson. But as a pair of teammates who will knock on the door not only because of the playing time but also because of the lead roles in the fall, there is nothing pedestrian about tackled Dawand Jones and Paris Johnson. Jones is the man on the mountain, a former three-star prospect who stepped onto the scene last year with a roadblock on Friday night at Northwestern that demanded one replay after another. Johnson is the five-star freshman who was already beginning to assert himself in spring exercises in March before Covid-19 halted proceedings. Both seem to be good enough to play if there is a season, which is why spirits are high around Woody. Nothing makes a team look stronger than quality depth on the offensive line.

Spencer Holbrook: Nicholas Petit-Frere blocks the right tackle point

Nicholas Petit-Frere had hiccups earlier in his career breaking the starting lineup, but his ability was never questioned. The questions always revolved around his weight and whether he could keep the pounds off. Now that he’s where he should be on the ladder, the former five-star tackle will become a full-time starter for the Buckeyes, and he should even push for full conference honors. Ohio State has to have a solid replacement for Branden Bowen, and Petit-Frere can thrive alongside Wyatt Davis on the right side of the Buckeyes’ offensive line.

Will Crall: Josh Myers will win the Rimington Trophy

Everyone talks about DBU or WRU, and there may be some arguments there. But Ohio State is really the U Center, and there is no argument against that. The Buckeyes have been dominant in the middle and have been consistently collecting the Rimington Trophy, and Josh Myers will be next to claim the hardware for the best center in the nation. Myers keep the tradition alive in the state of Ohio in the footsteps of Pat Elflein, Billy Price, Jacoby Boren, Michael Brewster, Nick Mangold and LeCharles Bentley. Myers had an outstanding season a year ago and could have been a first-round pick. He decided to stay, and as a result, Ohio State will have one of the best offensive lines in the nation. An extra year at Ohio State won’t hurt Myers. As a bonus, expect him to be an early first-round pick in next year’s NFL draft.