The Ohio State football team has always been known for its offensive lines. Year in and year out one of the most consistent units, it has a gathering of riches on the offensive line yet again in 2020.
This year the Buckeyes added Paris Johnson to an already stacked line with Wyatt Davis, Nicholas Petite-Frere, Josh Myers, Thayer Munford, and Harry Miller. Six players into the list and we still haven’t named Gavin Cupp or Jeremy Ruckert (technically a tight end, but yeah, he blocks too). A stacked position group for sure with a lot of five-star recruits.
Last year, Pro Football Focus, ranked the Buckeyes the fourth most efficient offensive line in college football. Keeping pass rushers off of Justin Fields on 67.4% of his dropbacks and allowing for 3.11 seconds of time before pressure started getting to Fields. With Davis leading the way, they only figure to get better in 2020.
Keeping Fields clean will be key in 2020 and there is no reason to believe the beef eaters up front can’t do so. With a slightly revamped wide receiver corps and a new starting running back, allowing Fields to make plays and stay mobile is something Ryan Day would welcome.
Having Paris Johnson as the backup/swing, and potentially starting, tackle allows for some flexibility for Day to call plays to allow Fields to roll to one side or the other without having to tip his play when Johnson is in the game. Having three starting quality offensive tackles is a problem most coaches would relish.
With a season in question, and teams playing conference games only, offensive lines will be asked to handle a little more as teams will have more tape from having to play more of the same teams. The Buckeyes have that much-needed luxury of having a top-flight offensive line that can simply out-talent the opposition despite the film study.
The goal at Ohio State every year for the OL is to win the Joe Moore award (best offensive line unit) – Josh Myers #Buckeyes @CoachStudOL
— Kevin Noon (@Kevin_Noon) August 4, 2020
Only Munford is a senior this year, which means even if the season doesn’t go off like it is expected, then there’s still the possibility of bringing back some experience again if the others eschew the NFL and want another crack at it. So while everyone talks about the wide receivers, linebackers, or defensive line, don’t forget the guys in the trenches, the best offensive line in college football.
It does remain to be seen how the potential cancellation of high school football effects recruiting next year, however, with the amassed talent the Buckeyes should be in good shape. The offensive line is an absolute strength of this team.