Eric Boggs
Ohio State’s offensive line has been a focal point of preseason camp, and rightfully so, as the Buckeyes prepare for their season opener. The unit faced a challenging start, with an illness sweeping through the position room, sidelining key players and delaying the evaluation process. Despite these setbacks, one name has consistently emerged as a standout: Tegra Tshabola.
Head Coach Ryan Day has emphasized that the offensive line remains slightly behind in terms of evaluation, but he has been particularly impressed with Tshabola’s performance at right guard. Tshabola, a third-year player, has been a constant presence on the field, seizing the opportunity to solidify his spot in the starting lineup. Day noted, “Tegra’s been there the whole time and has really shown improvement. He’s a starting-level player with the quality he’s showing right now.”
The competition at right guard remains ongoing, with Carson Hinzman, another strong candidate, having missed valuable practice time due to illness. This has allowed Tshabola to take additional snaps alongside returning starter Josh Fryar, enhancing his development and showcasing his potential.
Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has also praised Tshabola’s athleticism and physical attributes. “Tegra is really athletic and can really sink his hips. He’s long, and when you can play long on the offensive line, that’s a big deal. We like offensive linemen who are big because big people beat up little people. So we like Tegra a lot,” Kelly remarked.
While Tshabola has focused on mastering the guard position, the coaching staff is also mindful of his versatility. Day mentioned that although Tshabola has experience at tackle, the priority is to keep him at guard to ensure consistency and stability within the line. “We’re trying to keep Tegra at guard right now and let him master that,” Day said. “It’s hard for someone who hasn’t played a ton of football to bounce back and forth between positions.”
In addition to Tshabola, the illness outbreak has allowed other linemen to step up. Zen Michalski and Austin Siereveld have made notable progress, with Siereveld showing promise after transitioning from guard to tackle. Day highlighted their contributions, saying, “Zen and Austin are two guys who have really stepped up and caught our eye. They’ve made their reps count.”
The uncertainty at right guard and the need for depth at tackle remain pressing issues as Ohio State approaches its second scrimmage of camp. However, the coaching staff is optimistic that these challenges have inadvertently strengthened the team. The increased reps for Tshabola and others have not only bolstered depth but also provided clarity on potential starters.
As the Buckeyes work toward finalizing their offensive line, the emergence of Tshabola as a leading candidate at right guard offers a silver lining. With two weeks left before the season opener, the focus will be on refining the starting lineup and ensuring that the team is prepared for a successful campaign.
Day summed up the situation best: “If we can get two weeks of good work in with the starters back in the lineup, then we can lean on the silver lining of maximizing a somewhat chaotic situation. And in the process, we may have found our answer at right guard.”
