COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State’s offensive line, through the first six games of the season, was all you could ask for and more.
Now, due in part to two injuries at left tackle to Josh Simmons and then Zen Michalski, things aren’t looking great for the Buckeyes up front.
So where could they turn from here? Here are a few options to keep an eye on.
Donovan Jackson
Ohio State’s replacement in-game, Donovan Jackson, kicked over from left guard to fill the void left by Michalski. That feels like the likeliest option to be the long-term replacement at left tackle.
Coach Ryan Day said that the team would once again evaluate the position later in the week. But Jackson and second-year Luke Montgomery at left guard could be the team’s left side of the line headed into Penn State.
Tegra Tshabola
Another option for the Buckeyes could be to slide Tegra Tshabola from his spot at right guard to left tackle. That would potentially accomplish a few things.
Tshabola has repped at tackle and guard, on the left and side side, in his Ohio State career, and certainly is no stranger to change. If he slides to left tackle, Jackson can stick at left guard, and Austin Siereveld — who has rotated in at right guard all season, even earning a start at left guard — can take over a spot he’s familiar with.
George Fitzpatrick
George Fitzpatrick, a third-year tackle, would make for the “cleanest” replacement at left tackle. If he slides into the lineup, then Ohio State can stick with the other four starting offensive linemen that it had so far this season in their same spots.
Fitzpatrick has played just 54 snaps so far this season though. In his career, he’s played 69 snaps for the Buckeyes.
Josh Fryar
This could be directly related to the above name, as Ohio State could have Josh Fryar slide from right to left, and have Fitzpatrick play the spot that he’s played at so far this season.
While this option feels unlikely, the Buckeyes certainly could elect to have some stability at the tackle spot by trying to have him slide over from right to left.