Ohio State football news: Josh Padilla could be the surprise starter, Ian Moore may be Ryan Day’s O-line smokescreen, and Phillip Daniels, Austin Siereveld and Julian Sayin could all be affected before the Texas game.
Everyone is watching Ian Moore at left tackle. JR explains why the more important Ohio State offensive line battle may be Josh Padilla at right guard—and how Padilla’s emergence could allow Austin Siereveld to remain at tackle, put additional pressure on Phillip Daniels or completely reshape Ohio State’s starting five.
This is not simply Ian Moore versus Josh Padilla. Ohio State must determine whether Moore at left tackle and Siereveld at right guard creates a better overall unit than Siereveld at left tackle and Padilla at right guard.
There is also a third possibility: Moore and Siereveld could become Ohio State’s two starting tackles if Daniels does not secure the right tackle position.
JR breaks down:
* Why Ohio State’s early fall-camp lineups could be misleading
* How Josh Padilla could unexpectedly win a starting position
* The three realistic offensive-line combinations
* Why Padilla does not have to defeat Ian Moore directly
* What Ryan Day’s comments about Phillip Daniels could reveal
* What to watch from Austin Siereveld during open practices
* Why Arthur Smith’s play-action offense increases the pressure
* Which five-man combination gives Julian Sayin the best protection against Texas
The offensive line will also determine how aggressively Ohio State can use Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith, Brandon Inniss and the rest of Arthur Smith’s offense. Luke Montgomery and Carson Hinzman appear established, but the decisions involving Padilla, Moore, Siereveld and Daniels could decide everything else.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Josh Padilla could be the surprise starter
1:23 Ohio State’s expected starting offensive line
2:07 Ryan Day includes Padilla with the top group
3:19 The real offensive-line competition
4:41 Why this is a five-man puzzle
6:28 Padilla’s path to the starting lineup
7:13 The overlooked third combination
8:00 Confidence or stubbornness?
9:59 Why the decision could determine the Texas game
12:04 Ryan Day’s possible offensive-line smokescreen
13:19 Three things to watch during fall camp
15:02 Why Padilla gives Ohio State optionality
17:15 JR’s final takeaway
18:10 Final prediction for Josh Padilla
Which offensive-line combination would you start against Texas? Leave your starting five in the comments.
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