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LGHL Player to Watch: Ohio State’s Swiss Army Knife Xavier Johnson
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Player to Watch: Ohio State’s Swiss Army Knife Xavier Johnson
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The former walk-on made a name for himself in 2022 with his strong play on offense and special teams.
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about players to watch this upcoming season. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Player to Watch” articles here.
While guys like C.J. Stroud, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka deservedly received most of the attention on Ohio State’s prolific offense last season, the player that came up the biggest when needed most was Xavier Johnson. After receiving just four carries over his first four seasons as a Buckeye, Johnson saw 25 touches last season, totaling nearly 300 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns.
Johnson’s value to the offense goes so much deeper than what you’ll see in his numbers from the 2022 season. With injuries to wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams during the year, Johnson ended up doing a little bit of everything for the Ohio State offense. About the only things Johnson didn’t do on offense for the Buckeyes last year was snap the football and throw a pass.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24701036/1243002934.jpg "COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 03 Notre Dame at Ohio State")
Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
In the season-opener against Notre Dame, the Ohio State offense had a hard time getting much going in the first half, heading into halftime trailing the Fighting Irish 10-7. Some of those struggles were due to the hamstring injury Jaxon Smith-Njigba suffered. Eventually Stroud and the Buckeye offense found some traction in the second half, but not many fans would have expected Xavier Johnson to be the one to score the go-ahead touchdown in the game.
Johnson caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from Stroud with 17 seconds left in the third quarter to cap off a 10-play, 70-yard drive that gave the Buckeyes a 14-10 lead.
Along with his contributions on offense, Johnson also was one of the most reliable special teams players for Ohio State last season. In back-to-back weeks, Johnson was the one to recover blocked punts by Lathan Ransom against Indiana and Maryland. The punt block recovery against the Terrapins would lead to a Dallan Hayden rushing touchdown a couple plays later to give the Buckeyes a 17-13 lead.
Following a Maryland touchdown early in the fourth quarter, Johnson returned the kickoff 46 yards, which would result in another Hayden rushing touchdown a few plays later that extended Ohio State’s lead to double digits.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24701030/1245916668.jpg "COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 31 Semifinal Game Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl")
Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
To cap off an outstanding senior season, the former walk-on hauled in a 37-yard touchdown pass late in the second quarter of the Peach Bowl against Georgia to give the Buckeyes a 28-24 lead heading into halftime. Johnson finished the game with three catches for 43 yards, and was given six carries that totaled 28 yards. Even though the season didn’t end with a trip to the national title game, it still was a very successful campaign for Johnson, who went from being barely known by fans to a fan favorite.
With the depth at wide receiver and running back for Ohio State, it would have been understandable if Johnson had decided to either declare for the NFL Draft or enter the transfer portal. Instead, Johnson decided it would be in his best interests to return to Columbus for another season with the Buckeyes. What made another year at Ohio State attractive for Johnson was the plan head coach Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline laid out for how he would be utilized in the offense.
Unfortunately, Ohio State fans didn’t get an idea of what Day and Hartline had in mind for how they would use Johnson this year, since the wide receiver/running back missed most of spring camp because of a foot injury. There isn’t any worry about Johnson not being on the field when Ohio State’s season begins in early September, as the coaching staff was just being cautious with the injury.
Along with being a factor for Ohio State on offense and special teams, it is likely Johnson will be named a captain since he is one of the three longest-tenured players currently on Ohio State’s roster. Even though the captains are named by a team vote, many have raved about some of the leadership Johnson provides, and Hartline has likened Johnson to Kam Babb when it comes to the type of leadership he has seen from him.
We got a preview of how Johnson can operate in an offense with guys like Harrison, Egbuka, Henderson and others last year. This year is going to be even more interesting to watch since even more will be expected out of the fifth-year standout. The tough part for opponents is Johnson can excel in all facets of the game, so it makes the Buckeye offense even tougher to prepare for.
Even though some of the bigger names that will go higher in the NFL Draft will get more attention, Xavier Johnson might be the most important player on the Ohio State offense.
Continue reading...
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The former walk-on made a name for himself in 2022 with his strong play on offense and special teams.
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about players to watch this upcoming season. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Player to Watch” articles here.
While guys like C.J. Stroud, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka deservedly received most of the attention on Ohio State’s prolific offense last season, the player that came up the biggest when needed most was Xavier Johnson. After receiving just four carries over his first four seasons as a Buckeye, Johnson saw 25 touches last season, totaling nearly 300 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns.
Johnson’s value to the offense goes so much deeper than what you’ll see in his numbers from the 2022 season. With injuries to wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams during the year, Johnson ended up doing a little bit of everything for the Ohio State offense. About the only things Johnson didn’t do on offense for the Buckeyes last year was snap the football and throw a pass.
In the season-opener against Notre Dame, the Ohio State offense had a hard time getting much going in the first half, heading into halftime trailing the Fighting Irish 10-7. Some of those struggles were due to the hamstring injury Jaxon Smith-Njigba suffered. Eventually Stroud and the Buckeye offense found some traction in the second half, but not many fans would have expected Xavier Johnson to be the one to score the go-ahead touchdown in the game.
Johnson caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from Stroud with 17 seconds left in the third quarter to cap off a 10-play, 70-yard drive that gave the Buckeyes a 14-10 lead.
Along with his contributions on offense, Johnson also was one of the most reliable special teams players for Ohio State last season. In back-to-back weeks, Johnson was the one to recover blocked punts by Lathan Ransom against Indiana and Maryland. The punt block recovery against the Terrapins would lead to a Dallan Hayden rushing touchdown a couple plays later to give the Buckeyes a 17-13 lead.
Following a Maryland touchdown early in the fourth quarter, Johnson returned the kickoff 46 yards, which would result in another Hayden rushing touchdown a few plays later that extended Ohio State’s lead to double digits.
To cap off an outstanding senior season, the former walk-on hauled in a 37-yard touchdown pass late in the second quarter of the Peach Bowl against Georgia to give the Buckeyes a 28-24 lead heading into halftime. Johnson finished the game with three catches for 43 yards, and was given six carries that totaled 28 yards. Even though the season didn’t end with a trip to the national title game, it still was a very successful campaign for Johnson, who went from being barely known by fans to a fan favorite.
With the depth at wide receiver and running back for Ohio State, it would have been understandable if Johnson had decided to either declare for the NFL Draft or enter the transfer portal. Instead, Johnson decided it would be in his best interests to return to Columbus for another season with the Buckeyes. What made another year at Ohio State attractive for Johnson was the plan head coach Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline laid out for how he would be utilized in the offense.
Unfortunately, Ohio State fans didn’t get an idea of what Day and Hartline had in mind for how they would use Johnson this year, since the wide receiver/running back missed most of spring camp because of a foot injury. There isn’t any worry about Johnson not being on the field when Ohio State’s season begins in early September, as the coaching staff was just being cautious with the injury.
Along with being a factor for Ohio State on offense and special teams, it is likely Johnson will be named a captain since he is one of the three longest-tenured players currently on Ohio State’s roster. Even though the captains are named by a team vote, many have raved about some of the leadership Johnson provides, and Hartline has likened Johnson to Kam Babb when it comes to the type of leadership he has seen from him.
We got a preview of how Johnson can operate in an offense with guys like Harrison, Egbuka, Henderson and others last year. This year is going to be even more interesting to watch since even more will be expected out of the fifth-year standout. The tough part for opponents is Johnson can excel in all facets of the game, so it makes the Buckeye offense even tougher to prepare for.
Even though some of the bigger names that will go higher in the NFL Draft will get more attention, Xavier Johnson might be the most important player on the Ohio State offense.
Continue reading...
LGHL Buck Off Podcast: Reviewing the coaches media availability and getting into our players to watch
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Buck Off Podcast: Reviewing the coaches media availability and getting into our players to watch
Chris Renne via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Ohio State coaches were finally back in front of the media, so we got you covered talking about it all.
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about players to watch this upcoming season. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Player to Watch” articles here.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
On today’s episode of “Buck Off with Christopher Renne,” I’m joined by Jordan Williams to get into real science versus fake science, and why you have to look at both.
To get the show started, we get into Mickey Marrotti’s lack of accountability and why the issues in the sports science side are due to lack of listening to basic science. After that we get into the other questionable coach on staff, Parker Fleming, and the specialists conversation.
After that, we turn our attention to the offensive side of the ball and get into what the coaches said to the media this week. We talk about Brian Hartline’s comfort level, Tony Alford’s talented room, Justin Frye’s goals this year as well as the offensive line competition, and Corey Dennis talking quarterbacks. We close out the offensive side with our players to watch.
We return from the break with a discussion about the defensive coaching staff’s media availability. This conversation includes talk about Larry Johnson’s group needing consistency, Jim Knowles being haunted, Tim Walton’s mature cornerback room, and what we expect from the young five stars. We then get into our defensive players to watch.
To close out the show, we finish with our final thoughts on both sides of the ball and make the easiest NBA Finals prediction in years.
Connect with the Show:
Twitter: @BuckOffPod
Connect with Chris Renne:
Twitter: @ChrisRenneCFB
Connect with Jordan Williams
Twitter: @JordanW330
Continue reading...
Chris Renne via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Ohio State coaches were finally back in front of the media, so we got you covered talking about it all.
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about players to watch this upcoming season. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Player to Watch” articles here.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On today’s episode of “Buck Off with Christopher Renne,” I’m joined by Jordan Williams to get into real science versus fake science, and why you have to look at both.
To get the show started, we get into Mickey Marrotti’s lack of accountability and why the issues in the sports science side are due to lack of listening to basic science. After that we get into the other questionable coach on staff, Parker Fleming, and the specialists conversation.
After that, we turn our attention to the offensive side of the ball and get into what the coaches said to the media this week. We talk about Brian Hartline’s comfort level, Tony Alford’s talented room, Justin Frye’s goals this year as well as the offensive line competition, and Corey Dennis talking quarterbacks. We close out the offensive side with our players to watch.
We return from the break with a discussion about the defensive coaching staff’s media availability. This conversation includes talk about Larry Johnson’s group needing consistency, Jim Knowles being haunted, Tim Walton’s mature cornerback room, and what we expect from the young five stars. We then get into our defensive players to watch.
To close out the show, we finish with our final thoughts on both sides of the ball and make the easiest NBA Finals prediction in years.
Connect with the Show:
Twitter: @BuckOffPod
Connect with Chris Renne:
Twitter: @ChrisRenneCFB
Connect with Jordan Williams
Twitter: @JordanW330
Continue reading...
LGHL LGHL Asks: Who do Ohio State fans think will be football, men’s basketball teams’ MVPs?
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LGHL Asks: Who do Ohio State fans think will be football, men’s basketball teams’ MVPs?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
You ask, we answer. Sometimes we ask, others answer. And then other times, we ask, we answer.
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about players to watch this upcoming season. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Player to Watch” articles here.
Though we are now past Memorial Day, summer doesn’t officially start for a couple more weeks. However, it is never too early to start predicting how things will play out when our favorite teams get back to action this fall.
Earlier this week, we asked Ohio State fans to predict who they think will be the breakout freshmen and MVPs for both the football and men’s basketball teams. I’m not sure that I agree with all of the selections, but I definitely think that there are a lot of good options.
If you disagree with the consensus — or my responses — let us know in the comments below.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24698699/OhioState_1_053123.png)
I understand why fans would pick Carnell Tate for this. He has been a big name on the recruiting trail for years and was a major get for the Buckeyes and position coach turned offensive coordinator Brian Hartline. The thing about picking a true freshman to have a big season is that at a place like Ohio State, it’s unlikely that a rookie will be one of the key players on the squad, let alone a starter.
With Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Julian Fleming firmly entrenched as the first-team receivers, barring an injury (and probably multiple ones), it would take something inconceivable for Tate to become a starter. While recruiting rankings don’t mean much once someone gets to campus, Noah Rogers is actually the highest-rated prospect at the position this year; Rogers was the No. 53 player nationally according to 247Sports Composite Ratings, while Tate was No. 59.
Personally, I would have picked Jermaine Mathews, and not just because he was the top player in the class. Instead, I think he has a good shot of working into the mix because cornerback is a position that had a lot of volatility last season.
While things look to be a bit more settled with Denzel Burke, Jordan Hancock, and newcomer Davison Igbinosun ready to take the bulk of the snaps, we saw how injuries could impact an already thin room in 2022. So, having a supremely talented CB ready to go could lead to a decent amount of playing time this season.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24698701/OhioState_2_053123.png)
As I said in the survey article, I am always going to be partial to Devin Royal because we both are Pickerington High School graduates — technically he graduated from Pickerington Central, but I went there before the split. So, same school, slightly different name. However, I do understand why the masses when with Scotty Middleton.
Though significantly lighter than Brice Sensabaugh, he does fill a similar role on the team. Both came to Columbus as 6-foot-6 small forwards, but with much different skill sets. Middleton is a significant presence on the defensive end of the floor — something that no one has ever accused Sensabaugh of being.
However, Brice could score the ball in just about any way imaginable. Middleton, however, currently is a spot-up shooter who struggles at times to create his own shots. But, given that Royal will be behind Zed Key at the power forward position, his ability to be a major contributor is slightly more limited that Middleton’s.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24698702/OhioState_3_053123.png)
I mean, is Harrison Jr. going to be the best player on Ohio State’s team this season? Almost assuredly. Is he going to be the most valuable? I don’t know. With so much wide receiver talent on the roster, I’m just not sure that any WR can claim that mantle. Last season, Jaxon Smith-Njigba entered the season as college football’s best pass-catcher (as Marv will this fall). JSN then basically didn’t play all season and the Buckeyes were still essentially one play away from a national title. So how valuable could he have been?
I would probably go with Donovan Jackson (or even recent transfer Josh Simmons) because of how up in the air the offensive line is for Ohio State this season. Therefore, if the Buckeyes end up having a season that earns them a Big Ten title and berth into the College Football Playoff, someone on the o-line will need to step up.
However, I could also see the argument for Tommy Eichenberg and J.T. Tuimoloau, simply because of him talented and productive they are while playing significantly impactful positions like linebacker and edge rusher.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24698703/OhioState_4_053123.png)
I really hope this happens. The Bruce Thornton we saw down the stretch of the last season was really exciting as he moved out of Sensabaugh’s shadow. I definitely believe that he is capable of being the team’s leader, but I do find it interesting how the fans’ perspective of Zed Key has changed over the past 12 months.
I understand that the team appeared to improve when he was out of the lineup with his shoulder injury late in the campaign, but I don’t think that this should erase how important he can be for the team. Keep in mind that he played for quite a while while trying to deal with the injury, which may or may not have been the best for him or the team. Nonetheless, when Key is 100% healthy, he is still a major contributor, and I think this year he has even more of an opportunity because Felix Okpara has proven that he can provide quality minutes at center.
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
You ask, we answer. Sometimes we ask, others answer. And then other times, we ask, we answer.
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about players to watch this upcoming season. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Player to Watch” articles here.
Though we are now past Memorial Day, summer doesn’t officially start for a couple more weeks. However, it is never too early to start predicting how things will play out when our favorite teams get back to action this fall.
Earlier this week, we asked Ohio State fans to predict who they think will be the breakout freshmen and MVPs for both the football and men’s basketball teams. I’m not sure that I agree with all of the selections, but I definitely think that there are a lot of good options.
If you disagree with the consensus — or my responses — let us know in the comments below.
Question 1: Which Ohio State football true freshman do you think will have the biggest season?
I understand why fans would pick Carnell Tate for this. He has been a big name on the recruiting trail for years and was a major get for the Buckeyes and position coach turned offensive coordinator Brian Hartline. The thing about picking a true freshman to have a big season is that at a place like Ohio State, it’s unlikely that a rookie will be one of the key players on the squad, let alone a starter.
With Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Julian Fleming firmly entrenched as the first-team receivers, barring an injury (and probably multiple ones), it would take something inconceivable for Tate to become a starter. While recruiting rankings don’t mean much once someone gets to campus, Noah Rogers is actually the highest-rated prospect at the position this year; Rogers was the No. 53 player nationally according to 247Sports Composite Ratings, while Tate was No. 59.
Personally, I would have picked Jermaine Mathews, and not just because he was the top player in the class. Instead, I think he has a good shot of working into the mix because cornerback is a position that had a lot of volatility last season.
While things look to be a bit more settled with Denzel Burke, Jordan Hancock, and newcomer Davison Igbinosun ready to take the bulk of the snaps, we saw how injuries could impact an already thin room in 2022. So, having a supremely talented CB ready to go could lead to a decent amount of playing time this season.
Question 2: Which Ohio State men’s basketball true freshman do you think will have the biggest season?
As I said in the survey article, I am always going to be partial to Devin Royal because we both are Pickerington High School graduates — technically he graduated from Pickerington Central, but I went there before the split. So, same school, slightly different name. However, I do understand why the masses when with Scotty Middleton.
Though significantly lighter than Brice Sensabaugh, he does fill a similar role on the team. Both came to Columbus as 6-foot-6 small forwards, but with much different skill sets. Middleton is a significant presence on the defensive end of the floor — something that no one has ever accused Sensabaugh of being.
However, Brice could score the ball in just about any way imaginable. Middleton, however, currently is a spot-up shooter who struggles at times to create his own shots. But, given that Royal will be behind Zed Key at the power forward position, his ability to be a major contributor is slightly more limited that Middleton’s.
Question 3: Other than a quarterback, who will be the Ohio State football MVP?
I mean, is Harrison Jr. going to be the best player on Ohio State’s team this season? Almost assuredly. Is he going to be the most valuable? I don’t know. With so much wide receiver talent on the roster, I’m just not sure that any WR can claim that mantle. Last season, Jaxon Smith-Njigba entered the season as college football’s best pass-catcher (as Marv will this fall). JSN then basically didn’t play all season and the Buckeyes were still essentially one play away from a national title. So how valuable could he have been?
I would probably go with Donovan Jackson (or even recent transfer Josh Simmons) because of how up in the air the offensive line is for Ohio State this season. Therefore, if the Buckeyes end up having a season that earns them a Big Ten title and berth into the College Football Playoff, someone on the o-line will need to step up.
However, I could also see the argument for Tommy Eichenberg and J.T. Tuimoloau, simply because of him talented and productive they are while playing significantly impactful positions like linebacker and edge rusher.
Question 4: Who will be the Ohio State men’s basketball MVP?
I really hope this happens. The Bruce Thornton we saw down the stretch of the last season was really exciting as he moved out of Sensabaugh’s shadow. I definitely believe that he is capable of being the team’s leader, but I do find it interesting how the fans’ perspective of Zed Key has changed over the past 12 months.
I understand that the team appeared to improve when he was out of the lineup with his shoulder injury late in the campaign, but I don’t think that this should erase how important he can be for the team. Keep in mind that he played for quite a while while trying to deal with the injury, which may or may not have been the best for him or the team. Nonetheless, when Key is 100% healthy, he is still a major contributor, and I think this year he has even more of an opportunity because Felix Okpara has proven that he can provide quality minutes at center.
Continue reading...
LGHL Players To Watch: Offensive tackle Josh Fryar could be the key for Ohio State success
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Players To Watch: Offensive tackle Josh Fryar could be the key for Ohio State success
CMinnich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Where will Fryar line up on the Ohio State offensive line in 2023?
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about players to watch this upcoming season. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Player to Watch” articles here.
The 2006 movie “The Blind Side” is one of those feel-good movies that I characterize as the type that I occasionally find as I am channel surfing that I will stop and watch. Is it one of my all-time favorites? No. But I do enjoy the overall story of the movie, and how Sandra Bullock provides a brief but important narrative at the beginning of the movie about the importance of having a quality left tackle to protect the blind side of the quarterback.
Ohio State has had several offensive tackles in recent years move onto the NFL. First-round selections include Taylor Decker by Detroit in 2016, and Paris Johnson Jr. by Arizona in the recent 2023 NFL Draft. Other Ohio State offensive tackles include Reid Fragel (7th round by Cincinnati, 2013), Jack Mewhort (2nd round by Indianapolis, 2014), Jamarco Jones (5th round by Seattle, 2018), Isaiah Prince (6th round by Miami, 2019), Nicholas Petit-Frere (3rd round by Tennessee, 2022), Thayer Munford (7th round by Las Vegas, 2022), and Dawand Jones (4th round by Cleveland, 2023).
It is against that backdrop that I chose to focus on Josh Fryar as a Player To Watch for the upcoming 2023 season. Fryar enrolled at Ohio State in 2020, and has been the type of utility player who has been valuable in various positions on the offensive line. For example, Fryar was called upon to play right guard last season against Michigan, after starter Matthew Jones was injured.
While the offensive line is not as glamorous a position group as quarterback, running back, or wide receiver in the eyes of many football fans, the importance of the position group cannot be understated. Without a strong offensive line, the quarterback will not have time to throw to the wide receivers, and the running backs cannot run for many yards if the offensive line does not open up holes versus the opposing defense.
Josh Fryar is the projected starting left tackle on the 2023 offensive line. I am using the term “projected”, as Fryar has not yet officially won the position. Fryar played at left tackle throughout spring practice.
Another key consideration regarding Ohio State’s offensive line, most notably at the tackle positions, is the recent addition of transfer Josh Simmons into the mix. Simmons made the move from San Diego State to Columbus after Ohio State concluded spring practice. Simmons played right tackle for the Aztecs and could be the starter there for the Buckeyes, provided he outplays his competition in Tegra Tshabola and Zen Michalski.
Back to Josh Fryar. When I wrote up above about how Fryar is the projected starter at left tackle, I cannot help but wonder if Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye is going to mix and match players at the offensive tackle positions, trying to see which combination of players works best. Could Josh Simmons get the left tackle spot, while Josh Fryar is moved over to the right side?
No matter which side of the offensive line, I do not doubt that Josh Fryar is one of those players who will be a starter for Ohio State when the season begins at Indiana on Sept. 2 at 3:30 p.m. ET. If Fryar is named the starting left tackle, he will certainly be my Player To Watch, as he will be tasked with the important job of protecting the Ohio State quarterback’s blind side.
Continue reading...
CMinnich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Where will Fryar line up on the Ohio State offensive line in 2023?
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about players to watch this upcoming season. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Player to Watch” articles here.
The 2006 movie “The Blind Side” is one of those feel-good movies that I characterize as the type that I occasionally find as I am channel surfing that I will stop and watch. Is it one of my all-time favorites? No. But I do enjoy the overall story of the movie, and how Sandra Bullock provides a brief but important narrative at the beginning of the movie about the importance of having a quality left tackle to protect the blind side of the quarterback.
Ohio State has had several offensive tackles in recent years move onto the NFL. First-round selections include Taylor Decker by Detroit in 2016, and Paris Johnson Jr. by Arizona in the recent 2023 NFL Draft. Other Ohio State offensive tackles include Reid Fragel (7th round by Cincinnati, 2013), Jack Mewhort (2nd round by Indianapolis, 2014), Jamarco Jones (5th round by Seattle, 2018), Isaiah Prince (6th round by Miami, 2019), Nicholas Petit-Frere (3rd round by Tennessee, 2022), Thayer Munford (7th round by Las Vegas, 2022), and Dawand Jones (4th round by Cleveland, 2023).
It is against that backdrop that I chose to focus on Josh Fryar as a Player To Watch for the upcoming 2023 season. Fryar enrolled at Ohio State in 2020, and has been the type of utility player who has been valuable in various positions on the offensive line. For example, Fryar was called upon to play right guard last season against Michigan, after starter Matthew Jones was injured.
While the offensive line is not as glamorous a position group as quarterback, running back, or wide receiver in the eyes of many football fans, the importance of the position group cannot be understated. Without a strong offensive line, the quarterback will not have time to throw to the wide receivers, and the running backs cannot run for many yards if the offensive line does not open up holes versus the opposing defense.
Josh Fryar is the projected starting left tackle on the 2023 offensive line. I am using the term “projected”, as Fryar has not yet officially won the position. Fryar played at left tackle throughout spring practice.
Another key consideration regarding Ohio State’s offensive line, most notably at the tackle positions, is the recent addition of transfer Josh Simmons into the mix. Simmons made the move from San Diego State to Columbus after Ohio State concluded spring practice. Simmons played right tackle for the Aztecs and could be the starter there for the Buckeyes, provided he outplays his competition in Tegra Tshabola and Zen Michalski.
Back to Josh Fryar. When I wrote up above about how Fryar is the projected starter at left tackle, I cannot help but wonder if Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye is going to mix and match players at the offensive tackle positions, trying to see which combination of players works best. Could Josh Simmons get the left tackle spot, while Josh Fryar is moved over to the right side?
No matter which side of the offensive line, I do not doubt that Josh Fryar is one of those players who will be a starter for Ohio State when the season begins at Indiana on Sept. 2 at 3:30 p.m. ET. If Fryar is named the starting left tackle, he will certainly be my Player To Watch, as he will be tasked with the important job of protecting the Ohio State quarterback’s blind side.
Continue reading...
