Last year, the Ohio State offensive line was a bit of a weak point. It all came to a head in the losses to Michigan and Missouri, leaving many putting offensive line coach Justin Frye under the microscope. It felt as though the 2024 season was going to be the prove-it type of year for the 41-year-old assistant. Then, Ohio State signed four linemen in the 2024 recruiting cycle. None were five stars and none were expected to contribute right away. Then, Seth McLaughlin transferred in from Alabama.
The 2024 edition of the offensive line was not expected to be one of the best in the nation but it had to be. No longer did the program have a quarterback who could carry the offense on his back and overcome a weakness. And yet, the Ohio State offensive line was named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, given out to the top unit in college football. This year’s offensive line took a massive step forward.
Then, Josh Simmons suffered a season-ending injury. The unit responded. Then, on Wednesday, it was confirmed that McLaughlin also suffered a season-ending injury. The unit must respond again.
The Ohio State Offensive Line Must Overcome Another Injury
The loss of Simmons was significant. After transferring over from San Diego State, Simmons won the starting left tackle job before the 2023 season and struggled out of the gate. As the games went on, he slowly developed into a legitimate Big Ten offensive lineman, and that’s saying something. Toward the beginning of the season, he was a penalty machine. As the season went on, he started to figure it out.
Before the 2024 season, Simmons was an Honorable Mention All-American by College Football News. For the first five weeks of the season, Simmons was playing as well as any. He was named a first-team All-American by the Senior Bowl and second-team by the Associated Press. Then, his season ended in a loss to Oregon.
First Rounds of Offensive Line Scrambling
After the injury to Simmons, Zen Michalski stepped in. Against Oregon, he struggled and finished with a Pro Football Focus grade of 37.6, the lowest of any offensive player. He started two weeks later at home against Nebraska fresh off a bye. In that game, Michalski continued to struggle but Ryan Day “didn’t want to just panic and pull him out.” In the fourth quarter, Day’s decision was made for him as Michalski went down with an injury and hasn’t seen the field since.
However, since then, the Ohio State offensive line has responded. A starting lineup of Donovan Jackson, Carson Hinzman, McLaughlin, Tegra Tshabola, and Josh Fryar was solid. Jackson was beaten on a pair of third downs by future first-round NFL Draft pick, Abdul Carter against Penn State. Aside from that, the offensive line responded.
In the three weeks with that new offensive line, including the win at currently-fourth-ranked Penn State, Ohio State has averaged 164 yards on the ground and allowed a total of six sacks (three against Penn State). With a top-five matchup with Indiana and The Game up next on the regular-season schedule, it looked like the Ohio State offensive line was hitting its stride.
Another Promising Season Ended Prematurely
Unfortunately, McLaughlin tore his Achilles.
After four years with Alabama and 24 starts in 35 appearances, McLaughlin transferred to Ohio State and usurped Hinzman as the starting center. Through 10 games, he emerged as a leader on the offensive line. He went from a guy who would have had to test well to even end up drafted to a Senior Bowl invitee and the “most improved player at any position” by Senior Bowl Executive Director, Jim Nagy.
McLaughlin began the year on the watchlist for the Rimington Trophy and Wuerffel Trophy. When the semifinalists for the various awards were announced, he made the cut for the Outland Trophy and William V. Campbell Trophy. Like Simmons, he was honored by numerous publications as a mid-season All-American. McLaughlin was a midseason First-Team All-American selection by the Associated Press, The Athletic, CBS Sports, Senior Bowl, and The Sporting News.
Now, the Buckeyes must regroup after losing both top offensive linemen.
Moving Forward
Speculation ran rampant within Ohio State circles about how the Buckeyes would respond yet again. Day spoke after practice on Wednesday, confirmed the reports of McLaughlin’s injury, and provided a look into what’s to come.
Moving forward, the Ohio State offensive line from left to right will be Jackson, Austin Siereveld, Hinzman, Tshabola, and Fryar. Hinzman took Jackson’s place during the second round of shuffling in response to Michalski’s injury and has played remarkably well.
Last year, Hinzman was Ohio State’s starting center and was not quite to the level of McLaughlin. Then, the whole podcast scandal that resulted in his unceremonious benching ahead of the disastrous Cotton Bowl happened. He was in the doghouse but dug his way out with solid play at left guard.
Siereveld stepped up at left guard when Jackson was held out against Akron and Western Michigan and played well. However, he hasn’t faced quite the competition he will over the remainder of the 2024 season.
Indiana’s defensive line is stout, led by potential All-American, Mikail Kamara. James Carpenter and CJ West join him and will prove to be difficult.
Then, there is the two-headed behemoth on the interior of Michigan’s defensive line. Fans would be hard-pressed to find a better one-two punch at defensive tackle than Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham. Not to mention Josaiah Stewart is putting together yet another incredible season.
After that, a rematch with Oregon awaits if the Buckeyes can take care of business. Then, the College Football Playoff.
Ohio State offensive line coach Frye has his work cut out for him, that much is certain.
