Ohio State’s first-team offensive line during Tuesday’s practice — the team’s third of the spring — featured Jamarco Jones at left tackle, Billy Price at left guard, Pat Elflein at center, Demetrius Knox at right guard and Isaiah Prince at right tackle.
That group isn’t all that surprising, and it is certainly possible it’s the unit the Buckeyes trot out onto the field six months from now in their season-opener, but head coach Urban Meyer made it clear after practice the group is far from solidified and that it didn't perform quite exactly how he wanted.
“My initial reaction was a little disappointed with the offensive line today,” Meyer said. “I’ll know more after watching it, but not where we need to be.”
That’s OK. This is spring practice we’re talking about here. The point is Meyer is attempting to get somewhat of an idea of who will be starting up front for Ohio State. That certainly didn't need to happen after Tuesday's practice and it still won't even need to be completed by the time spring ball is over. The Buckeyes probably won't settle on a new offensive line until fall camp.
We know Price and Elflein will be at the spots they were at Tuesday. Each will be entering their third year as starters for Ohio State on the offensive line and both will be the unquestioned leaders for new offensive line coach Greg Studrawa’s unit.
What we don’t know, right now, is who will earn the other three spots. Jones appears to be a front-runner for at least one of those positions. He was the “sixth man” last year on Ohio State’s offensive line and a guy former offensive line coach and now tight ends coach Ed Warinner said, “We always thought would be a starter here.”
Prince is currently the starting right tackle and the sophomore is a guy who could very well end up winning the job in the fall. But remember, the Buckeyes get Malcolm Pridgeon on campus in June and Pridgeon — as a junior college transfer — will be eligible to play right away and is expected to compete for a starting spot.
“Isaiah Prince, he’s gotta perform like a first-stringer,” Meyer said. “He’s got all the ability in the world and he tries hard, he’s just not where he needed to be [Tuesday].”
The spot that appears to be the biggest mystery right now, however, is at right guard. That’s no surprise, of course, as Meyer, Studrawa and Warinner have all stated multiple times there will be a battle at that particular position. Knox ran with the first team Tuesday, but Meyer quickly pointed out that Evan Lisle — a guy who is expected to compete — did not practice due to illness. Redshirt freshman Matt Burrell is also firmly in the race for that slot.
“Right guard is not solidified yet,” Meyer said.
It probably won’t be by the end of spring practice, either, and that’s OK. Meyer already said it's going to be difficult to finalize a depth chart by the end of the spring game.
The Buckeyes have plenty of time to get things figured out up front — as well as other various other position groups — and picking five starters isn't all that important right now. But Meyer often references Ohio State as "an offensive line-driven program" so it's no-doubt crucial to the team's success come September.
The competition is only beginning.
