Ohio State Offensive Line Is Set To Dominate In 2026
The Ohio State football offensive line is likely going to be a strength for the team in the 2026 football season. This is ironic, since it was the play of this offensive line that cost the Buckeyes two losses to end the 2025 season. Four of the five starting players from that offensive line return.
Ohio State’s offensive line in 2026 has a combined 91 starts in their careers. There is a bunch of experience coming back for the team. In addition, the offensive line coach for the Buckeyes, Tyler Bowen, has recruited extremely well. Talent for this offensive line in Columbus abounds. Do you think the Buckeye offensive line will improve next season?
Ohio State Offensive Line
The starting players along the Buckeyes offensive line will likely be Ian Moore at left tackle, Luke Montgomery at left guard, Carson Hinzman at center, Austin Siereveld (though he can play anywhere along the line) at right guard, and Phillip Daniels at right tackle. The backup players on the offensive line could probably start at a bunch of places.
They are Sam Greer at left tackle, Jake Cook at left guard, Josh Padilla at center, Gabe VanSickle at right guard, and Carter Lowe at right tackle. Greer is a true freshman. He is six feet seven and 325 pounds.
At left tackle, Moore will likely be a first-year starting lineman, looking to impress his coaches. Greer will back him up and is the future. He is expected to start in 2027. The left guard will be Montgomery. The bigger question is who will be the backup at this position. This should’ve been a big spring for Jake Cook, but he got hurt halfway through spring practice and still needs to prove himself.
Hinzman is the starting center, and 2,021 of his 2,190 career snaps have come at the center. He might win the Rimmington Award this season. Joshua Padilla is probably the next guy up at any of the interior offensive line positions, if he can stay healthy. That has been a problem for him throughout his career, though the former wrestler has a lot of talent.
Austin Siereveld will be the starter at right guard. He is probably behind only Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith when it comes to value to this team. This will be a position change for him, but he has proved versatile throughout his career. VanSickle is likely the backup here. He is an experienced and talented player.
Why This Is Important
In football, it is essential to dominate the play along the offensive and defensive lines. With respect to the offensive line, success for the running backs depends on their skill. It is also the case that if the offensive line plays well, the quarterback will stay upright. Both of these items were problems for Ohio State last season in the final two games. The offensive line was dominated by both Indiana and Miami.
This coming season, Ohio State plays at Texas in the second game of the season. The Buckeyes then face USC, Oregon, and Indiana University in consecutive weeks in the middle of the schedule. The Buckeyes will need their offensive line to be productive in those difficult games.
