Eric Boggs
Ohio State football fans know the importance of recruiting, and in the 2025 cycle, the Buckeyes have faced a significant setback. The team missed out on its top target, five-star offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. from North Carolina, who chose to commit to Tennessee. Despite Ohio State’s best efforts, including a competitive NIL package and a strong recruiting push, Sanders decided to take his talents to the SEC, a blow to the Buckeyes’ future plans.
For months, Sanders was the No. 1 priority for Ohio State’s offensive line coach Justin Frye. The Buckeyes gained momentum in the recruitment battle throughout June and July, positioning themselves as the favorite to land Sanders. However, a late July visit to Tennessee turned the tide, leading to his eventual commitment to the Volunteers. This loss stings not just because of Sanders’ talent but also due to the lack of clear backup options.
Ohio State has been on the hunt for a premier offensive tackle to complement their 2025 class, already headlined by Carter Lowe. However, the Buckeyes placed most of their hopes on Sanders after missing out on other top targets like Jackson Lloyd (committed to Alabama), Josh Petty (committed to Georgia Tech), and Micah DeBose (also committed to Alabama). The search for a top-tier offensive lineman now appears more urgent than ever.
Among the offensive linemen who visited Ohio State this summer, the Buckeyes remain in contention for three-star Maryland prospect Jayvon McFadden. While McFadden is a solid player, the fact that Ohio State has only secured two offensive line commitments for 2025—Lowe and in-state interior lineman Jake Cook—underscores the need for additional reinforcements. The situation becomes even more pressing as the Buckeyes could lose up to four starters on the offensive line after the 2024 season.
If Ohio State can’t flip a previously targeted player or find a hidden gem during the fall, they may have to turn to the transfer portal to fill the gaps. This scenario puts even more pressure on Justin Frye, whose job security might hinge on how the offensive line performs this season. The 2024 season is crucial not just for the team’s championship aspirations but also for Frye’s future with the program.
The offensive line was Ohio State’s Achilles’ heel last year, culminating in a disappointing 14-3 loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl. Ryan Day’s decision to retain Frye was a vote of confidence, based on Frye’s reputation as a developer of talent. However, with the season opener just weeks away, the line remains the team’s biggest question mark. Improved play from returning starters like Josh Simmons, Donovan Jackson, and Josh Fryar, as well as competition between Carson Hinzman and Tegra Tshabola for the right guard spot, will be key to the Buckeyes’ success.
Anything less than elite performance from Ohio State’s offensive line this season could be unacceptable. Ryan Day and Chip Kelly will be closely watching to determine whether Frye deserves to remain on staff. Frye was expected to elevate Ohio State’s recruiting, particularly after the departure of former offensive line coach Greg Studrawa, but so far, the results have fallen short.
The pursuit of David Sanders was always going to be a challenging one, but it became a must-win for the Buckeyes. With Sanders now committed to Tennessee, Ohio State is left scrambling with only two offensive linemen committed and several top targets slipping through their fingers. While Carter Lowe, a top-50 overall prospect, is a strong addition, the Buckeyes were always favored to land him due to his in-state ties. The same goes for three-star center Jake Cook, a local product from Westerville.
With Sanders off the board, Ohio State has limited options remaining. Five-star Texas offensive tackle Michael Fasusi, four-star New Jersey lineman Malachi Goodman, and unranked California offensive lineman Atamai Matau are still uncommitted, but the Buckeyes only seem to be seriously in the running for McFadden. His decision to extend his recruitment into the season adds further uncertainty to Ohio State’s plans.
This trend of missing out on top out-of-state offensive linemen is concerning. In Frye’s three years on staff, the Buckeyes have struggled to close the deal with elite talent from beyond Ohio. In the 2023 and 2024 recruiting cycles, Ohio State landed only three out-of-state offensive linemen, with just one of them ranking among the top 250 prospects in his class. The only top-100 recruit Frye secured was Luke Montgomery, a lifelong Buckeye fan from Ohio.
For Ohio State fans, this situation is frustrating. The program is built on championship aspirations, and those dreams hinge on winning the battles in the trenches. As the 2024 season approaches, all eyes will be on the offensive line. The pressure is on, and the stakes are high for Justin Frye and the Buckeyes.
